Somerset residents warned of convincing police impersonation scam calls

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Avon and Somerset Police have issued a warning about fraudsters posing as officers in phone scams to steal money and banking details.

Avon and Somerset Police have issued a warning to Somerset residents about highly convincing scam calls in which fraudsters pose as officers. The force has received multiple reports of people being contacted by individuals claiming to be police officers when they are actually criminals attempting to gain their trust and access to money or banking details.

Some fraudsters use 'spoofed' phone numbers, which disguise their real caller ID and can instead display the number of a legitimate organisation, even appearing to originate from genuine Avon and Somerset Police telephone numbers. The calls can use AI technology, be automated or involve a real person.

Fraudsters typically tell people they are helping with a police investigation and claim a suspect has been arrested, with the victim's details supposedly discovered during enquiries. They may also provide what appears to be a genuine crime or case reference number. Victims are then told their finances are at risk and instructed to transfer money into a supposed 'safe account', which would actually be controlled by criminals, or asked to provide sensitive banking information.

Police said the callers can be extremely professional and convincing, with some victims reporting that fraudsters appeared to know personal information about them, including details and nicknames that would not ordinarily be publicly available.

How it is being reported

• Warning as fraudsters pose as Somerset police officers in convincing phone scamSomerset residents are being warned about criminals pretend to be police officers before attempting to get money or banking information.Bridgwater Mercury · 20 Oct, 05:00
• Warning as fraudsters pose as Somerset police officers in convincing phone scamSomerset residents are being warned about criminals pretend to be police officers before attempting to get money or banking information.Somerset County Gazette · 20 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Avon and Somerset Police · Somerset

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