Officers are urging residents to stay vigilant against scammers pretending to be police officers after a number of calls were reported in Chesterfield, Derby, and Ripley.

Several individuals in these areas have received unexpected calls from someone claiming to be a police officer, alleging fraudulent activity on their accounts. These scams often involve the victim being persuaded to provide personal details, bank cards, or cash to the supposed officer or a courier.

Fortunately, in these recent cases, the potential victims did not provide any details and contacted the police before any transactions or meetings occurred.

PC Louise Rodger, one of our fraud protection officers, said: “Please share this message with your friends and family members, especially older or vulnerable relatives. Talk to them about our crime prevention advice – Stop! Think! Tell! By remembering to do this, they can protect themselves against scams.”

To raise awareness, Derbyshire Constabulary has been promoting the “Sock it to the Scammers” campaign, featuring a bright pink sock puppet named Claude. The campaign aims to educate the public on how to avoid falling victim to scams.

Here are some essential tips to avoid police impersonation scams:

1. Police Officers Will Never:
   • Call you unexpectedly to request cash or personal information.
   • Ask you to transfer money to another account, hand over cash or bank cards to a courier, or pay a fine or fee over the phone. If someone asks you to do this, it is a scam.
2. In-Person Contact:
   • Genuine police officers will show their warrant card as proof of their identity and authority.
3. Verify the Caller:
   • If you receive a call and are unsure if the caller is a genuine police officer, hang up and call the police on 101 to verify their identity.
   • Wait at least five minutes and ensure you hear a dial tone before making the call, as fraudsters can sometimes keep the line open after you hang up.
4. Additional Information:
   • For more details on verifying an officer’s identity, visit the Derbyshire Constabulary website: How to check an officer’s identity.

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, report it immediately through the following channels:

• Website: Use the crime reporting tools on our website: Online contact form
• Facebook: Send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• Twitter: Direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone: Call us on 101
• Action Fraud: Report online at Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040
• CrimeStoppers: Anonymously contact the independent charity on 0800 555 111, or visit the CrimeStoppers website.

Stay informed and protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these scams.