Four reports of elderly in Sleaford area targeted by fake police officer fraudsters

In the first incident a woman in her 70s is said to have received a call from an alleged officer based at Hammersmith Police Station in London.

The officer claimed that a man had been arrested on suspicion of using a cloned card belonging to the woman’s brother-in-law. The elderly woman realised it must be a scam as her brother-in-law is dead and so could not have been the person arrested.

In the second reported incident yesterday morning a man in his 80s received a call from a person claiming to be an officer from Essex Police.

The caller stated that the victim’s nephew had been arrested for using a cloned card that belonged to the victim. The caller then provided the nephew’s address but ended the call.

Two more incidents referred to a similar report, with both victims being female and in their 70s.

All potential victims realised it was a scam and ended the call immediately.

Lincolnshire Police have since received three further reports in the Sleaford area taking place on Monday June 15, with fraudsters claiming to be from Essex Police.

Lincolnshire Police warn that if you receive a similar call, hang up and call the police on 101 on a different line. In the event that you have arranged for cash to be collected by an impersonator, call police on 999 immediately.

Officers remind people that your bank and police officers will never ask for your bank details. They will also never ask you to withdraw cash for them and to send it via courier.

They say: “Please share this information with your neighbours, friends and family to make them more aware of this type of scam.

On one occasion on June 8, an elderly victim at home in Grantham had received a call from an alleged police officer from Hammersmith Police, claiming that her husband’s card had been cloned and used. However, the call came to an end after the victim said her husband had been dead for a number of years.

There have also been a number of similar fraud attempts in Grantham and Lincoln in the last month. Fortunately, all potential victims realised that the call was a scam and quickly hung up. There have been no successful money transfers so far.

Lincolnshire Police added: “This crime has a devastating impact on people so please report any calls to police or Action Fraud.”

To prevent more people falling victim to this type of scam, our advice is to:

Never give out your bank cards, pin or other bank details – your bank and the police will never ask for this

Never withdraw money and send it to them via a courier or by any other means

Hang up immediately if you have any doubts about someone who called you

Some phone companies offer call screening services that can be effective in blocking cold callers.

If you suspect you’ve been the victim of fraud, you can also report this to Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.

For further advice on fraud or scams, visit our advice page: https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/fraud-and-scams/