Avon and Somerset Police has warned of a fraud campaign in which criminals are impersonating police officers, spoofing genuine telephone numbers and using personal information to convince victims to transfer money.
Avon and Somerset Police has issued a warning following multiple reports of fraudsters impersonating police officers in an attempt to obtain money and sensitive banking information.
Victims have received telephone calls from individuals claiming to represent the force and alleging that their personal information has been compromised, their bank accounts are at risk of fraud or their details have been connected to criminal activity.
In some cases, fraudsters have claimed that a suspect has been arrested and that the victim’s information was discovered during the resulting investigation. Apparent crime or case reference numbers have also been provided to make the calls appear more credible.
The force said some callers appeared to possess personal information about their targets, including details and nicknames that would not normally be publicly available.
Reports also indicate that criminals are spoofing genuine Avon and Somerset Police telephone numbers. Some people who attempted to call the displayed number back were subsequently connected to the force’s control room, reinforcing the impression that the original communication was genuine.
Reports have been received from people outside the Avon and Somerset policing area, suggesting the campaign could be targeting individuals elsewhere in the UK.
Amy Samotyj, Fraud Protect Officer at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “These fraudsters are highly convincing and often sound professional. They may claim an arrest has been made, provide what appears 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’re using these tactics to build trust and create a sense of urgency, which can make the calls seem genuine.
“It’s important to remember that fraudsters can spoof telephone numbers, meaning the number displayed on your phone may appear to belong to a trusted organisation when it does not.”
The force stressed that police will never ask people to transfer funds into a ‘safe account’, withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, hand over bank cards or disclose banking security information as part of an investigation.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call is advised to end the conversation and independently verify the caller’s identity before taking any action
