Beware of Scam Phone Calls
Devon and Cornwall Police have been made aware of scam phone calls - the caller is pretending to be a police officer.
Published: 17 August 2023
Devon and Cornwall Police have received reports of scam telephone calls from residents in the South Devon area. The caller pretends to be a police officer and gives a story-line of having someone in custody or of a cloned bank card etc.
Please hang up on any similar calls.
The police will never contact people to ask that they transfer money from an account to aid an investigation or request banking information – if anyone does get this type of request, it is a scam.
Any Police, 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.
Our advice to anyone who receives a call of this nature or any unexpected call from a company is to: –
· Do Not engage with the caller, hang up and wait for 5 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 dialing 101 or via the contact page on the website Contact us | Devon & Cornwall Police (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.