"The police" or "a court" is calling me: the fake officer scam

"The police" or "a court" is calling me: the fake officer scam

The phone rings and a serious, official-sounding voice introduces itself as a detective from the Metropolitan Police, an officer from the National Crime Agency, someone from HMRC's "criminal investigations" team or a court clerk. They tell you that your bank account has been used for money laundering, that your National Insurance number has been "suspended", that there's a warrant out for your arrest or that a bank employee is stealing from you and they need your help to catch them. To sort it out, you have to act now: move your money, hand over your card or pay a fine. It's a scam. Real police, courts and investigators don't work like this.

How does the fake police or fake court scam work?

The scammer leans on two things: fear of authority and urgency. The script usually follows these steps:

1. The call. It can be an automated message ("this is the police, press 1 to speak to an officer") or a person with a rank and a warrant number. The number shown on screen may even look like a real police or court number, because caller ID can be spoofed.
2. The accusation or the "operation". Your account is linked to a crime, your identity has been used for fraud, you've missed a court date, or the police need your help with an "undercover investigation" into your bank.
3. The way out. To avoid arrest or protect your savings, you must:
   • move your money to a "safe account" they control;
   • hand your bank card and PIN, cash or valuables to a "courier" who will come to your door ("courier fraud");
   • pay a "fine", "bail" or "fee" by transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards;
   • or confirm your bank details, codes or passwords "to verify your identity".
4. Secrecy. "Don't tell anyone, not even your bank: the cashier may be involved." The aim is to stop you checking with anyone.

How do I know the call is fake?

• The police and courts never ask you to pay anything over the phone, and never ask you to transfer money anywhere.
• No police force will ever send someone to collect your bank card, your PIN or cash.
• Your bank will never ask you to move money to a "safe account". There's no such thing.
• Nobody legitimate asks for your PIN or full online banking password, or for one-time codes from texts.
• Pressure and threats: "if you hang up, officers will be at your door within the hour".
• Requests for secrecy, especially "don't tell your bank".
• Payment by cryptocurrency, gift cards or transfers to individuals.
• An unexpected matter. A real court case or fine generates letters and official correspondence first; it doesn't start with a threatening phone call.

What do I do if they're calling me right now?

1. Hang up. You don't owe them an explanation. It's not rude, and it's not a crime to end a call with someone claiming to be the police.
2. Don't give any details: no bank details, card numbers, PINs, codes or passwords.
3. Don't call back the number that rang you or any number they give you.
4. If you want to check, do it yourself: call 101 (the police non-emergency number) or your bank on 159 or the number on the back of your card. Use a different phone if you can, or wait at least five minutes, because on a landline the scammer may keep the line open and pretend to be the person you're calling.
5. If someone is coming to your door to collect money or cards, call 999.
6. Report the number in the spam numbers directory so others recognise it.

What if I've already paid or given my details?

Act quickly. This scam is built by professionals to frighten anyone:

1. Call your bank now on 159 or the number on your card, from a different phone if possible. Ask them to block your cards and online banking and to try to stop or recover any payment.
2. If you handed over a card or cash, cancel the card and call 999 if the "courier" may still be nearby, otherwise 101.
3. Change your passwords if you gave any, and turn on two-step verification.
4. Keep everything: the number, the time of the call, the name and "warrant number" they gave, payment receipts and any messages.
5. Ask about reimbursement. Most victims of authorised push payment scams are entitled to reimbursement from their bank, with some exceptions; the Payment Systems Regulator explains the rules.
6. Watch out for a second call from "the police" or a "recovery agency" offering to get your money back for a fee. It's the same scam again.

Where do I report it?

• Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040, or online, if you're in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, Police Scotland on 101. You'll get a crime reference number that your bank may ask for.
• Calls claiming to be from HMRC can also be reported to HMRC, as GOV.UK explains.
• Your phone provider: the National Cyber Security Centre explains how to report a scam call.
• NoCall: report the number in the spam numbers directory.

Frequently asked questions

The number on screen was the police's. How can it be fake? Caller ID can be spoofed. A number that looks official proves nothing. That's why you should always hang up and call back yourself on a number you've looked up, ideally from another phone.

Can the police phone me? Yes, for example if you've reported a crime or they're following up a case you're involved in. But they'll never ask for money, bank details, your PIN or your card, and they'll be happy for you to hang up and call 101 to check.

What if I really do have an unpaid fine or a court matter? Check through official channels: the letters you've received, GOV.UK, or the court or council named on them, using contact details you look up yourself. Real fines and court payments are dealt with through official channels, not by a caller demanding instant payment.

I hung up without giving anything. Should I do anything else? Not much: block the number, report it and tell older relatives about it, because this scam often targets older people living alone.

In short

No police officer, court or bank will ask you to pay over the phone, move your money to a "safe account" or hand your card to a courier. Hang up, check by calling 101 or 159 yourself from another phone, and report it. And if you've received one of these calls, report the number in the NoCall spam numbers directory: your warning could stop someone else picking up and believing it.