Northumbria Police are reminding the public to remain vigilant to telephone scammers as offenders are continuing to operate in the area.
Officers have received four reports of telephone calls from fraudsters today, claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police, investigating bank fraud and asking for funds to be transferred.
It is reported that no funds were handed over but officers want to again urge residents to be alert to the problem.
Detective Inspector Angela Hufton said: “We want to make it clear that a police officer will never ask you to move funds from one bank account to another; that would not happen.
“Anyone who says they are a police officer and asks you to do this are clearly fraudsters.
DI Hufton added: “I would ask that you remain vigilant and try to look after family, friends or neighbours who could be susceptible to these criminals. Pass on our advice and contact us immediately, if it is believed they have had a similar care or been targeted online.”
The police are making the public aware of the following steps to avoid becoming a victim:
- Be aware that fraudsters often use techniques to hold your phone line open.
- When you try to dial out to verify the caller, they intercept and re-answer the call, claiming to be the bank or law enforcement.
- To ensure that your phone has not been compromised, we recommend using a different phone line to verify the caller.
- If a second phone line is not available, try calling a family or friend on the line first, as the fraudster will find it difficult to impersonate a voice that is known to you.
- Never disclose your PIN or online/telephone banking log-in information or card reader codes to anyone – banks never call and ask you to disclose security details.
- If you receive a call requesting any of your banking details, end the call immediately.
- If you receive a suspicious or unexpected call, ask the caller for their phone number and get it checked independently.
- Ensure elderly relatives and neighbours are aware of the fraud and crime prevention advice.
Report any suspicious phone calls to police straight away on 101.