Police release footage after impersonation scams in Ilkeston

Ilkeston Police have shared a short video highlighting the tactics used by fraudsters about how residents can protect themselves after receiving reports of an impersonation scam carried out in the town.

The telephone calls reported see someone pretending to be a police officer, claiming that there has been unauthorised use of the recipient's bank card, but crucially, advising them not to tell anyone about the call as it may jeopardise a police investigation.

A statement from Derbyshire Police said that callers have claimed to have a variety of names, including a DC Michael Anderson and may say that they're from a local police station, national fraud/bank unit or even the London-based Metropolitan Police.

Recent reports have seen the scammer asking people to withdraw money from a Bureau de Change within supermarkets in a bid to avoid security measures used by banks.

The statement emphasised long standing advice to residents receiving such a call, regardless of the claims made, to take a moment to stop and think about the possibility that the call may be fraudulent.

It said that a Police Officer will never ask for cash, banking or financial details and that people should not give out any personal information and, instead terminate the call immediately. It also called for people to share the message with friends, family and those who may not see the message posted on social media who may receive a fraudulent call.

The latest development in the Erewash area comes after a spike in calls around Derby, again where the caller pretends to be a Police Officer to obtain bank details over the phone, suggesting unauthorised bank card use at a supermarket cash machine.  

In those instances, calls have been made using a withheld number and have even used names of some genuine Derbyshire Police Officers to sound more legitimate, with instances of fraudsters trying to trick people into giving away details such as passwords, security codes or PINs.