Warning about scam caller pretending to be a police officer

Glossopdale residents are being warned about a scam call where the caller is pretending to be a police officer. 

Police say they have had an increased number of calls about this scam over the past few weeks - particularly in the Glossop and Chesterfield areas.

They say the male caller tells the person who answers that he is 'a DC Mark Andrews from Paddington police station'. The caller goes on to say that he is investigating the unauthorised use of that person’s bank card and advises that the person should not tell anyone about this call as it may jeopardise the police investigation.

Police say they are aware that a number of different names have been used by this scammer: including DC Morris, DC Ryan, DC Clarke and Sergeant Wiggins, as well as DCI Spencer, Scotland Yard and PC 747 Robinson Paddington Fraud Squad.

They are advising anyone who should receive such a call to not give out any personal information and hang up the call immediately.

Police say this type of call can be linked to courier fraud, where victims will be encouraged to withdraw funds from their bank account or give bank cards to a courier, arranged by the ‘police officer’ making the call under the guise of ‘assisting with a police investigation’.

Derbyshire Constabulary say the police will never contact people asking for banking information or request that they withdraw money from an account to aid an investigation.

Fraudsters often target geographical areas where they know elderly or vulnerable people live, so police are asking that if you have family or friends who are vulnerable in anyway that you make them aware of this scam.

If you, or someone you know, receives a call of this nature, you should contact the police, who will then assess the area that is being targeted, alert the banks and endeavour to protect other local residents to prevent any financial loss.

People can get in touch with police via the following methods: 

Facebook – send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
Twitter – direct message the contact centre on @DerPolContact
Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us
Phone – call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also text on 07800 002414 or email deafsms@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk

Police advise on receiving a scam call of this nature to terminate the call, wait five minutes and ensure you can hear a dial tone before calling 101, and then call your bank using the number found on the back of your card. All reports of this nature also need to be reported to Action Fraud 0300 120 2040 or online https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

For further fraud advice and prevention information, contact the local Fraud Protect Officer by emailing Tammy.Barnes@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk.