🚨 SCAM WARNING – Don't Trust That Caller

Residents across Devon and Cornwall are being targeted by fraudsters pretending to be from trusted organisations, including the police, HMRC, banks, mobile phone service providers, BT, Microsoft, Sky, Apple, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). They want your personal and/or financial information.  They want your PASSWORDS and PIN’s. They want your MONEY. 

❌ Never: 

• Share passwords, PINs, security codes or bank details.
• Transfer money to a so-called "safe account" – these do not exist.
• Download software or grant remote access to your devices.
• Trust a caller simply because they claim to represent a trusted organisation.

✅ If you receive an unexpected call: 

• Be cautious.
• Hang up if you're unsure.
• Use a different phone line or wait at least 10 minutes before calling back on the same line.
• Contact the organisation directly using a trusted number from their official website, correspondence, bank card, or another verified source.

👮 If the caller claims to be a police officer: Ask for their: 

• Name
• Collar/shoulder number
• Police force
• Police station

Then independently verify their identity by contacting the force directly on 101.

⚠️ Remember: Legitimate organisations will NEVER ask for your PASSWORDS or PIN’s, nor will they pressure you to make an immediate payment, grant remote access, or move money to "protect" it.

❗If you think you have been scammed

✅ Contact your bank immediately. Dial 159 to be connected safely to your bank's fraud department.

✅ Report fraud or cybercrime to Report Fraud: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud  or call 📞 0300 123 2040

🛑 Stop. Challenge. Protect.

📞 Remember: Caller ID cannot be trusted. Phone numbers can be spoofed to appear genuine. When someone calls you, they are in control. When you hang up and call back using a thoroughly trusted number, you are in control.

Please share this information widely and consider displaying on local / community noticeboards etc. 

Thank you.