Police issue warning over fake PC phone scam

Nottinghamshire Police is warning older people in particular to be wary of phone scammers pretending to be officers

Quick-thinking bank staff stopped a man withdrawing £5,000 to give to a scammer who had claimed to be a police officer.

Nottinghamshire Police said it is investigating a number of reports in Hucknall and East Leake where victims were encouraged to hand over large amounts of cash, their debit cards and their pin numbers by people posing as police officers.

The force said police would never ask someone to withdraw money to help them as part of an investigation and asked older people in particular to be wary.

Dale Richardson, cyber and fraud prevent officer at the force, said: "This is a wicked and cynical scam that seeks to exploit the well-placed trust people usually place in police officers."

Scam tactics

In one recent incident a man came close to losing £5,000, but was prevented from withdrawing the money by bank staff who became suspicious.

The force said the scammers call a person and tell them they are a police officer and that there is a problem with their account.

They go on to tell the victim to withdraw money for safekeeping or their help is needed as part of an undercover investigation.

If the attempts are successful, somebody posing as a courier or police officer would then have appeared to take money or items away.

Mr Richardson said: "No police officer would ever make contact in this way and request money or anything else of a personal nature from you.

"If you receive such a call you should not give out any personal information and hang up immediately."