Police Warn Phone Scams Are Widespread In Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Constabulary are warning residents to stay vigilant following reports of scam calls – please share this widely with friends and family.
Residents are being contacted via phone by someone claiming to be a police officer investigating fraudulent activity on the victim’s bank account. They claim there is an issue with your bank account and convince victims they are helping with a covert Police investigation.
The fraudsters typically provide victims with elaborate stories to justify the urgent need for cash withdrawal and convince their victims they are genuine, even telling the victims to call 999 or 101 to check their identity but this is part of the scam as the telephone line can be left open by the scammer. Victims are manipulated into withdrawing cash and, posting it, or passing money to a courier arranged by the scammer.
Hertfordshire Police recommend waiting at least five minutes before attempting to make a new call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender, or use a mobile phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first.
Senior Beacon Fraud Hub Manager, Elaine Crate, said: “Bogus police telephone scams are increasingly common and elderly residents are being exploited. The effects of being scammed can be devastating, impacting not only your finances but also damaging your emotional well-being.”
How to protect yourself
- Remember that the Police or your bank would NEVER ask you to withdraw cash or to move money to another account.
- Never share pin numbers or personal information.
- Speak with family and friend before carrying out any actions.
- Use a different phone line to call your bank/Police.
- Stay vigilant and don’t be afraid to end the call and hang up.
Please report to Action Fraud if you or someone you know is a victim or contact the police:
Police Contact Advice
- Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress.
- Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents.
- Alternatively, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report a non-emergency crime online or chat to a police operator live via our web chat service.
- If you are calling about the above message, please tell us that you are responding to a message from OWL.