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Fraud alert - don't let scammers ruin your Christmas

Fraud alert - don't let scammers ruin your Christmas

SA Sam Acourt Updated December 08, 2021

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Fraud alert - don't let scammers ruin your Christmas

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Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeing increasing victims of "Bank and Police Impersonation Style Frauds", and are urging people not to fall for it before Christmas.

Bank and Police Impersonation Style Frauds are scams where people are receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from a person’s bank, either from their local branch or the banks fraud department, the Financial Conduct Authority, or a police officer from a fraud department.

As a result of the call people are often told their accounts have been compromised or the individual is asked to "assist with an investigation" by moving or using their money to catch the fraudsters. People are often asked to transfer their funds to a new account to safeguard their money or are requested to purchase items or withdraw cash in a story given of it helping investigations.

People are often told staff at their local bank branch are involved in the scam and are told not to talk to anyone about it as it may compromise the Fraud Investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police would like to make people aware of these types of scams to hopefully stop more people falling victim.

Any police officer, bank, Financial Conduct Authority or fraud departments:

will never ask an individual to move their money to a new bank account
will never ask an individual to become involved in an investigation or assist them by transferring their own money or using their own money
will never ask for someone’s card pin number or full card details
will never ask you to withdraw your money and send a courier to collect it

These scammers can clone telephone numbers giving the impression they are calling from the company or business they claim to work for and will often ask people to check the number to prove they are who they say they are. They can also hold the phone-line open after you have hung up for a short period of time, meaning if you hang up and immediately dial another number you may well still be speaking to a scammer.

Scammers will set up fake websites to give the impression they are genuine or reputable.
Devon and Cornwall Police advice to anyone who receives a call of this nature or any unexpected call from a company is to:

Not engage with the caller, hang up and wait for five minutes, or phone a friend or relative to clear the line
Contact your bank only on a number you know is genuine, such as those found on the rear of your bank card or on a statement or visit your local branch to discuss and seek advice
If you need to check a police officer calling is a genuine officer contact your local police force by dialling 101 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the webchat on the website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk
Talk to your friends and family about any call you receive and ask for their help and advice
If you have been a victim of this type or any type of fraud please contact your bank/building society immediately and then report to your local police on 101 and report to Action Fraud

For more information on the latest Fraud Scams please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

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