Police are reminding people to be keep an eye on vulnerable family and friends after reports of fraudsters posing as police officers have been calling members of the public.
Officers have received reports of people living across the county being targeted over the last two days and handing over thousands of pounds in cash and jewellery.
On each occasion, the fraudster claimed to be working for the police and who was looking into a fraud case at their bank. They have claimed that a person has been arrested and that money needs to be sent to them as part of the ongoing investigation, either for safeguarding or to help track any further criminals. However, this is not true.
One victim from Tewkesbury handed over £9,000 to a courier sent to collect the money, while another from Brockworth handed over £3,000 and £25,000 in jewellery.
Fraudsters are manipulative and victims are often told to not tell their friends or family that they are “helping” with an investigation.
Officers are now urging people to warn their elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends about this type of fraud.
- If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back
- If you don’t have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time, at least 10 minutes, and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line
- Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords
- Just because someone knows basic details about you like your name, address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees
- Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.
For further advice on keeping yourself safe from fraud, visit the Constabulary’s website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/
