Scamwatch: fake police fraud
Stay one step ahead of the fraudsters with our series of articles giving you the lowdown on the scams they use to trick people out of their hard-earned cash - and how to avoid being taken in by them.
This week, we expose a "despicable" new scam involving criminals posing as policemen in a bid to steal people's savings.
How does it work?
Elderly Britons are being targeted with a new type of courier fraud that has emerged in parts of the UK.
The fraudsters behind the schemes pretend to be police officers investigating reports of counterfeit notes.
In one recent case, a lady was tricked into handing over £5,000 in cash after being told the money she had withdrawn from her bank account was counterfeit.
Thames Valley Police said: "These are despicable crimes involving the elderly and more vulnerable in our communities.
"It is important that people follow suitable crime prevention advice to avoid becoming a victim."
How can I avoid being caught out?
Police officers will never ask for your PIN or come to collect cash as part of an investigation.
So hang up on anyone saying they are calling from the police and asking you to hand over card details or cash.
If you are unsure about the provenance of any unsolicited call, look up the organisation online or in the phone book and call it on the registered number to check - not on the number given to you by the caller.
If possible, you should also use a different phone - a mobile for example - to do this to avoid being taken in by criminals who simply stay on the line waiting for you to pick the phone up again to make a call.
I've been defrauded. What should I do?
If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from the police, you can report it to the police via Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).
You are unlikely to see any cash you hand over again. But if you have given the criminals any details that could help them to take further money from your account, you should also contact your bank or building society immediately.
