Fraudsters scamming residents in Derbyshire by pretending to be police

Officers in Derbyshire are urging residents to be aware scams, where fraudsters are displaying an old police phone number as part of number spoofing con trick.
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The force said they had been aware of ‘a number of scams’ taking place across the county – after members of the public received phone calls from a fake caller ID which had been displaying an old Derbyshire Constabulary phone number.

These types of scams are known as number spoofing and fraudsters are using software to imitate organisations phone numbers, such as bank or credit card companies to attempt to convince unsuspecting victims to transfer funds or reveal personal or financial details.

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Officers said the number that has been reported to them as part of the spoofing trick is old non-emergency contact number 03451233333.

Police in Derbyshire are urging residents to be vigilant against number spoofing scams. Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images.Police in Derbyshire are urging residents to be vigilant against number spoofing scams. Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images.
Police in Derbyshire are urging residents to be vigilant against number spoofing scams. Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images.

Police have reminded residents that the force will not contact anyone from this number and urges anyone who receives a call to report it as soon as possible.

Anyone who has doubt about the person calling them should put down the phone immediately and if you need to call the organisation to check the call was official – wait five minutes after the suspected scam call in case fraudsters stay on the line after hanging up.

To protect yourself, you could also use a different phone to call the number back on, but make sure you look up the correct contact details on the company’s website rather than using the number potential scammers provided you with.

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People should never give out personal information in response to an incoming call, or rely upon the Caller ID as the sole means of identification.

Instead, residents should ask the caller for their name as a way to verify they are an employee of the organisation they are calling from – and if they are claiming to be from the police, ask them for their collar number.

If the caller is asking you to pay a fine, transfer money or verify personal information end the call immediately and if you have been targeted by a scam, then call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if debit cards, online banking or cheques are involved in the scam.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor

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