Warning after woman foils fake police scam

A woman who outsmarted a scammer claiming to be a police officer is now spreading awareness so others can also avoid falling into a trap.

Ann Turtle, from Orleton in Herefordshire, was called by a "so-called officer" who said he had arrested someone in London who had cloned her card.

The scammer introduced himself as "Detective Mason" and told her to ring 999 to verify he was a real police officer but Turtle, whose son is a real PC, knew that was not normal procedure.

Her warning comes as West Mercia Police issued advice against scammers saying no police officer would ask anyone to make a payment or purchase, withdraw or transfer money or ask for bank details.

The caller had told Turtle he was based at Holborn Police Station, and gave his name and badge number.

"He then said to prove that he is a real policeman could I please dial 999 and ask for the police verification department," she said.

"In any case, 999 is for emergencies only, and, unfortunately for him, I have a real policeman son.

"I knew very well there was no such thing as the police verification department so at that point I told him so and put the phone down."

If she had rung 999, the scammer would have kept the line open so she would have ended up speaking to someone else who would have confirmed his identity, she said.

Turtle posted her experience on her village's Facebook page, and found more people in her village who had similar calls.

She said she feared for other vulnerable people who may go along with the scammer's instructions.

"Police are an authority figure and I think there's a tendency for most people to comply with what you're being asked to do rather than question them," she said.

"It's only because my son is a policeman and I've chatted to him about his work, I knew damn well there wasn't any such thing as a police verification department and that it was a scam."

West Mercia Police put out a warning last month after the force received multiple reports of fraudsters impersonating police officers.

The victims were asked to reveal their PIN and credit or debit card details or asked to hand over cash or buy a high value items, according to the force.

Det Sgt Polly Price said: "No police officer from any force will ever ask you to make a payment or purchase, withdraw or transfer money or ask for your bank details.

"If anyone does it will be a scam.

"Put the phone down and call the police or your bank from another landline or mobile to check, not the one you were called on."

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