Kent Police are warning people in Sittingbourne and the wider Swale area to be vigilant following a surge in reports of scammers posing as police officers. These fraudulent calls have targeted residents across the local area, following a historical pattern of courier fraud that saw one Sittingbourne victim lose £7,000 in cash last year.
The callers often use fake names such as DC Martin Williams or DC Matthews to trick people into thinking they are speaking with a real officer from the Metropolitan Police or Kent Police. In recent alerts, fraudsters have pressured residents into withdrawing large amounts of cash or even buying gold to assist with fictional investigations, before sending a courier to the victim’s home to collect the valuables.
According to Action Fraud, legitimate police officers or bank staff will never ask for your bank card PIN or send a person to your house to collect money or cards. Residents are encouraged to look out for older neighbours who are often the main targets for these sophisticated types of phone crimes.
The Kent Fraud Alert System reminds the community that you should never give personal details or cash to anyone who calls you out of the blue. If you receive a suspicious call, you should hang up and wait at least five minutes to ensure the line is clear—as scammers often stay on the line—before reporting the incident to your bank via 159 or contacting Action Fraud.
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