Scam Callers Claiming To Be Police Officers

It was only a matter of time I suppose before we had another scam alert article warning us about what else the scammers out there are up to. John from Blacon is again the provider of this vital Cheshire Police warning. This one specifically relates to scam callers claiming to be Police officers. Have a read of this informative article then I’ll chip in with my own tuppence worth below.

Scam Callers Claiming To Be Police Officers

The article below is a Cheshire Police Alert. It is a warning issued following hoax calls from scammers claiming to be Police Officers.

“Detectives have been made aware of a spate of hoax calls from scammers claiming to be police officers from Cheshire Constabulary acting on behalf of HMRC.

There have been several reports over the last two months whereby people have been receiving calls from someone purporting to be a police officer or from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The first part of the call is automated and asks the victim to press 1 in order to be connected to HMRC. A recorded message then informs the victim that they have an unpaid tax bill and that there is a warrant out for their arrest unless they pay the balance immediately.

The fraudsters then ask the victims to make a bank transfer to pay off their supposed outstanding tax bill. Scammers can also make calls appear as though they come from legitimate numbers. In one recent case the numbers traced back to a Cheshire based police station and HMRC.

Scam Callers – Important Advice

Detective Sergeant Chris Jacques of the Economic Crime Unit said: “It is important to remember that police officers and HMRC will never call you and ask you to settle the balance of a tax bill over the phone.

“Telephone numbers can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephone display.

“If you receive a suspicious call, do not give any information over the phone and end the call immediately.

“I would advise anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to this scam to please report it to us on 101 or via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “I am deeply concerned to hear about this recent spate of fraudsters claiming to be police officers.

“Fraud has a significant emotional and financial impact on victims. So, as the Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to supporting those affected and to ensuring that action is taken.

“I am urging all residents to remain vigilant and tell their family, friends and neighbours to be wary of these scams in order to protect against fraud in Cheshire.”

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Message Sent By Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Police / Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Administrator, Corporate Communications).”

Scam Callers – What Else Can We Do?

This scam callers warning is yet another worthwhile addition to my Chester Crimewatch category. More’s the pity really. I mean that in the sense that it shows the sign of the times. Nevertheless, moving on.

My own view on how to deal with scam callers is quite simplistic really. In short, if your phone rings and you don’t recognise the number, don’t answer it.

While I’ve been putting this article together, my phone is by my side and it has rung twice. I glanced at the display and as there was no name showing and I didn’t recognise the number, I didn’t answer. They were mobile numbers. Neither of the callers left a voicemail.

So, it’s a fair chance that the calls were from scam callers. I don’t know about you but if ever I give my mobile number out to anyone I add their name as well. Not rocket science. It makes common sense and I’m sure many of you do the same. I mean, what are the chances that you randomly give your mobile number out to someone without either taking their name, or also getting their number? Or both? I tend to do both.

Phone’s Ringing – To Answer Or Not?

In the last week or so I must have had about 12 calls from unidentified mobile numbers. I didn’t answer any of them. And, no big surprise, no messages were left.

On the other hand, someone called me a couple of weeks ago from an unidentified number. Same again, I didn’t answer. But the caller from this particular number left a voicemail. It was a friend of mine calling me from his works mobile as the battery had died on his normal phone. The number of which I had stored with his name on my phone.

So when he left a message explaining it was his works phone and asking me to call him back, I saved the number against his name but added “Work” after his name. Sorted.

Again, nothing clever or smart at all in that. I’m sure that many also take this same approach. But just in case, for those that don’t, then maybe follow this simple procedure. The 12 unidentified mobile numbers have all now been blocked.

Scam Callers – You Could Also Do This

After you have been called and confirmed that no message has been left, then make a note of the number. Whether it be a mobile or a landline. Then, if you have access to the internet, put the number in the Google search field.

Quite often, your search will show that others have received a call from this number. Websites to look for are sites like “who called me from.” Click that link and you will see if others have reported the number as a spam (or a scam) caller. Here’s one I got today – 020-8312-3441. Don’t answer it.

In addition to not answering an unidentified mobile and STD based landline number you could also do this. Don’t answer any private number calls either. Again, like other, unidentified numbers if it’s important, the caller will leave a message. No message then it may well be that the caller was a scammer.

A simple enough approach and, as I say, you will find that if it the call is legitimate, the caller will leave a message.

Thanks yet again John for a very important Cheshire Police alert. As always with these posts, spread the word where you can please. Thanks.

Stay safe one and all.

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