Scam Phone Calls Impersonating Banks or Police

Scam Phone Calls Impersonating Banks or Police

Scam Phone Calls Impersonating Banks or Police

We are seeing an increase in scam phone calls where criminals pretend to be your bank or even police officers. These callers use urgency, pressure, and false information to trick people into handing over money or personal details.

Remember:

Police will never ask you to transfer money, withdraw cash, or share your PIN or bank details.

Banks will never ask you to move money to a “safe account.”

Genuine organisations will not threaten you or pressure you to act immediately.

Common tactics used by scammers

Claiming your bank account has been compromised and instructing you to move money.

Stating “an officer” has arrested someone with documents linked to you.

Spoofing phone numbers so the call appears to come from a trusted organisation.

Keeping you on the line to stop you checking with family, your bank, or the police.
[newsnow.co.uk], [news.met.police.uk]

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

Hang up immediately.

Do not share any financial or personal information.

Do not transfer any money.

If you want to verify a call, use a trusted number from the organisation’s website — do not redial a number provided by the caller.

Contact your bank directly if you think you may have shared financial details.
[news.met.police.uk]

How to report scam calls

Reporting helps protect others and allows the NCSC and police to take action.

Report suspicious phone calls:
Action Fraud – www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040
(Police Scotland: call 101)

Learn how to spot and report scam calls via the NCSC’s official guidance:
👉 https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-call
[news.met.police.uk]

Where to find more advice

Full NCSC guidance on spotting and reporting scam emails, texts, websites, adverts and phone calls:
👉 https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
[newsnow.co.uk]

Government guidance on avoiding and reporting scams:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
[mynewsdesk.com]

Please share this message with family, friends, and neighbours — especially anyone who may be vulnerable to scam approaches.

Stay alert. Stay safe.
If in doubt, hang up.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Laura Flowers
(Police, Inspector, Hillingdon)