Avon and Somerset Police have issued a warning to the public following multiple reports of fraudsters impersonating police officers in telephone calls.
Individuals have reported receiving phone calls from persons claiming to be Avon and Somerset Police officers. These callers often assert that the recipient’s personal data has been compromised, that their bank accounts are at risk of fraud, or that their personal information has been linked to criminal investigations.
In some instances, callers have stated that a suspect has been arrested and that enquiries have uncovered the victim’s details within the investigatory material. Victims may even be provided with what appears to be a legitimate crime or case reference number to lend credibility to the call.
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The suspected goal of these calls is to build trust with recipients to facilitate fraudulent activity. Victims may be instructed that their finances are in danger and urged to transfer money into a so-called “safe account” or to provide sensitive banking details to protect their funds. Unbeknownst to them, the accounts in question are controlled by the fraudsters.
The callers are often highly professional and convincing, with some victims reporting that the fraudsters appeared to possess personal information about them, including private details and nicknames not ordinarily available to the public.
There is also evidence to suggest that these fraudulent calls are made to appear as though they originate from genuine Avon and Somerset Police telephone numbers. Some individuals who attempted to return the calls were redirected to Avon and Somerset Police, reinforcing the authenticity of the scam.
Reports have come from people outside the Avon and Somerset policing area, indicating that the fraudsters may be targeting individuals in other parts of the country while falsely representing Avon and Somerset Police.
Amy Samotyj, a fraud protection officer at Avon and Somerset Police, commented: “These fraudsters are highly convincing and often sound professional. They may claim an arrest has been made, provide what seems to be a genuine case reference number, and tell you your personal details have been found as part of a police investigation.
“They may even know some information about you in advance. They use these tactics to build trust and create a sense of urgency, which can make the calls seem genuine.
“It’s essential to remember that fraudsters can spoof telephone numbers, so the number displayed on your phone may appear to belong to a trusted organisation when in fact it does not.
“Avon and Somerset Police will never ask you to move money, transfer funds to a ‘safe account’, withdraw cash, buy gift cards, hand over bank cards, or disclose banking security information as part of an investigation.
“If you receive such a call, end it immediately and independently verify who has contacted you before taking any further action.”
If you receive a call purporting to be from the police, you should hang up and confirm the caller’s identity by contacting the police through official and independently verified channels. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest police station and speak directly to an officer.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam is encouraged to report it via Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Victims should contact their bank immediately if any money has been transferred.