Police have issued an alert to High Peak residents - particularly within the postal code areas of SK23 - to a scam call they have had 'several' reports about over the past few weeks.
The call is from someone pretending to be a police officer, who tells the person who answers that he is Sgt Wiggins from various police stations such as Chesterfield, Cheshire and London.
The caller goes on to say that they have arrested someone who was in possession of personal details.
They are also advised that the person should not tell anyone about this call as it may jeopardise the police investigation.
Derbyshire Constabulary say they are aware that several different names have been used by this scammer including DC Matthew Phillips and PC Smith.
They advise that anyone who receives such a call should not give out any personal information and hang up the call immediately.
Police say this type of call can be linked to courier fraud.
This means that 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’.
The police will never contact people asking for banking information or request to 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 urging people to make family and friends aware of this scam.
Anyone who receives a call of this nature is asked to contact police as soon as possible, so they can assess the area that is being targeted, alert the banks and endeavour to protect other local residents to prevent any financial loss.
This can be done by sending a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary on Facebook, direct messaging the contact centre @DerPolContact on Twitter, completing the online contact form at www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us or calling 101.
People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing can also text on 07800 002414 or email deafsms@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk
Derbyshire Police advice
On receiving a scam call of this nature, people should terminate the call, wait five minutes and ensure a dial tone can be heard before calling 101. People should also call their bank, using the number found on the back of your card.
All reports of this nature also need to be reported to Action Fraud by calling 0300 120 2040 or visiting https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
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