Hertfordshire Constabulary raises alarm after fake detective scams
Hertfordshire Constabulary is cautioning residents within the area to be vigilant after a recent incident involving a fraudster posing as a detective.
As well as a recent fake detective incident the force says that criminals are cold-calling Hertfordshire residents pretending to be fraud officers.
"One resident was called by a well-spoken woman, who asked for the person by name and identified herself as a detective from Essex Police’s Cyber Crime Unit," the constabulary revealed.
“The woman gave the resident a legitimate contact number for Essex Police, a badge number and crime reference. She went on to say that if the victim had any concerns about the call, they could attend a local police station and meet with her directly.”
Essex Police staff were able to confirm later that the officer did not exist but a spate of these calls have been recorded across the wider region of southern England. Some of the calls have involved fraudsters claiming to be from Hertfordshire’s Cyber Crime Unit.
Police forces warn that the fraudsters are trying to gain control of devices remotely or steal personal details. "If you receive a message or call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious,” Hertfordshire Constabulary warns.
“The vital things to remember are that someone working for your bank, or the police would:
“NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.
“NEVER ask you to withdraw money or purchase high value items and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.
NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
“NEVER ask to remotely access your devices.”
The constabulary advises that suspicious calls can be reported to the police force online or by calling 101.