Fraud warning after fake police and bank calls reported in Northampton

Dear Resident

Northamptonshire Police is reminding people that neither the police nor banks would ask anyone to hand over cash or their bank cards, after two people reported being targeted.

The Force received two reports on Monday, May 19 from people in Northampton who reported losing money to people who had called them pretending to be from official bodies – one from a bank and the other from the Metropolitan Police.

Both reports are believed to be courier frauds, a crime which usually involves fraudsters calling potential victims, claiming to be from their bank, the police, or another law enforcement authority, with a view to getting them to hand over confidential details, bank cards and PINs, cash or other expensive items that are then collected by a ‘courier’ – hence the name.

Investigations are now underway into both reports, and officers are sharing prevention advice to help protect others from this type of crime.

Officers from the Force’s Economic Crime Unit are urging people to remember that genuine callers would never ask for bank details or card details, or ask anyone to withdraw cash, transfer funds, purchase expensive items, or ask someone to play a part in an undercover investigation.

Report any suspicious contact, or crime, to Northamptonshire Police by calling 101, or going online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud you can also report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, by calling 0300 123 20 40 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.