Scam sees 'bogus' callers pose as police officers

Residents are being urged to be vigilant for scammers after a police force received reports of "bogus" callers pretending to be its officers.

Suffolk Police said there had been "multiple reports" on Wednesday and Thursday of scammers calling members of the public and falsely claiming to be police officers.

According to the force, the fraudsters appeared to have phoned from a cloned number, meaning calls made back to it would be routed to the Suffolk Police switchboard.

Suffolk Police and Suffolk Trading Standards said anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be an officer should call 101 to check their identity.

"If you wish to check their identity and a crime number you have been given, we advise you hang up and call 101, ideally from a different phone," the force said.

"An officer will never mind waiting for you to check their identity via the control room. Please share this message with anyone who you think may be vulnerable.

"We are aware of other forces reporting similar incidents in recent days."

According to Suffolk Police, police officers will never:

• Ask for bank details or PINs

• Request cash or bank card handovers to couriers

• Demand money transfers to other accounts

• Ask for payment of fines or fees over the phone

• Request access to your computer or passwords

• Ask you to "assist" in an investigation by doing any of the above activites

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