Police in Somerset say criminals are phoning people as fake officers, sometimes from numbers that look real, to get money and bank details.
Avon and Somerset Police is warning that criminals are calling people and pretending to be police officers. The force has received multiple reports. The callers try to win trust first, then push people to hand over personal information or move money.
Some of the callers use "spoofed" numbers. Spoofing means hiding the real caller ID and showing a different number instead, such as one that belongs to a real organization. Police say scammers can even make a call look like it comes from a genuine Avon and Somerset Police number.
The calls may be automated, may use AI voices, or may involve a real person. A typical story is that the caller is helping with an investigation, a suspect has been arrested, and the victim's details turned up along the way.
The callers can sound very professional. Some may quote what looks like a real crime or case reference number. Some victims said the caller knew personal details about them, including nicknames that are not normally public.
Fraud protect officer Amy Samotyj said the aim is to build trust and create a sense of urgency. Victims can be told their money is at risk and that they must move it into a "safe account". In reality, criminals control that account. Others are asked for sensitive banking information.
Anyone who answers the phone could get one of these calls. The warning comes from Somerset, but the tricks it describes, such as faked caller ID, are not tied to one place. Police did not say how many reports they have received or who the victims were.
A real-looking number or a convincing story is not proof. Police say a case number or collar number should not be treated as proof of identity either.
The alert box above lays out the exact steps, including how to check a caller and who to contact if money has already been sent. The main idea is simple. End the call, then check using contact details you find yourself.
Police also say a genuine officer will not object if you hang up to verify who they are. A caller who pushes back on that is a red flag.
The force has not said whether the calls are continuing or if anyone has been arrested. For now, the advice is to treat any unexpected call from "the police" about your money with suspicion, however official it sounds.
If a caller claiming to be police asks about your money, hang up and check using a number you find yourself.
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