We have been made aware of a scam phone call whereby the caller has posed as a Police Officer from Staffordshire Police. 

This has been reported across Stafford.

The caller provided a story that they were in a local super store and had been advised their bank card had been cloned and a sum of £200 had been taken. The caller provided a work address and a Collar number (Identify badge number). 

Thankfully, the receiver of the call wanted to make further checks to the Police Officers identity and asked for a phone number to call them back on, this was not provided and the call was terminated. No number could be obtained as the call was made from a withheld number, the receiver of the call made contact with their bank who confirmed no such transaction had been made. 

There have been occasions when fraudsters have posed as police officers, both in person and on the phone, to trick people into giving them personal information and defraud them of money. 

If you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity.

Please note, if you've been on the phone to someone – who called you – but you have doubts about them, we recommend that you hang up and wait five minutes before you call us. There have been cases of fraudsters keeping the line open after a victim has hung up. Leaving several minutes between calls will make sure that the call has closed.

If one of our officers needs to speak to you on the phone, they'll identify themselves clearly. They will never: 

·  ask you for your bank details or PIN

·  ask you to transfer funds to another account

·  ask you to hand over cash or bank cards to a courier

·  ask you to pay a fine or a fee to them or a third party over the phone or online

·  ask you for access to your computer, passwords or log on details over the phone or online

·  ask you to register personal details in an attachment or website online

·  ask you to 'assist' in an investigation by doing any of the above

·  state that you are committing a crime by not complying

·  communicate in an abusive, threatening or coercive manner

Remember if you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity.

If you think you've been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud either online or by phone: 0300 123 2040.