Police warn of scammers posing as Essex detectives

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

Fraudsters are posing as police officers in phone calls claiming to work for Essex Police's Cyber Crime Unit.

Fraudsters are posing as police officers in phone scams targeting residents across the region. A Hertfordshire resident received a call from a woman claiming to be a detective from Essex Police's Cyber Crime Unit. She told the resident their personal details had been stolen in a cyber-attack and provided a legitimate police contact number, badge number and crime reference. The caller also offered to meet the resident in person at a police station if they had concerns.

However, checks with Essex Police confirmed no such officer existed. Herts Police said similar scams have been reported across the region, with callers also pretending to be from Hertfordshire's Cyber Crime Unit. A spokesman for Herts Police said: 'If you receive a message or call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious.'

Police urge residents never to give bank details or PINs to unsolicited callers, never to withdraw money and send it via courier or other means, and never to allow remote access to their devices. If calling police to verify a contact, residents should wait at least five minutes before dialling to ensure the line is clear, or use a mobile phone, a neighbour's phone, or test the line by calling a friend first. Anyone with concerns about their bank account should visit their local branch to speak with an official representative.

How it is being reported

• Police warn of scammers posing as Essex detectives after phone call incidentHerts Police warn residents about phone scammers posing as Essex Police detectives, urging people to protect bank details.Brentwood Guardian · 28 Oct, 13:36
• Police warn of scammers posing as Essex detectives after phone call incidentHerts Police warn residents about phone scammers posing as Essex Police detectives, urging people to protect bank details.Echo (Basildon) · 28 Oct, 13:36
• Police warn of scammers posing as Essex detectives after phone call incidentHerts Police warn residents about phone scammers posing as Essex Police detectives, urging people to protect bank details.Colchester Gazette · 28 Oct, 13:36

In this story: Herts Police · Essex Police · Hertfordshire · Essex

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log