Police have issued an urgent warning to people in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, following a rise in scam phone calls where criminals pretend to be officers. These scammers are calling residents and trying to trick them into handing over bank cards, PIN numbers, or large amounts of cash. This warning comes after a spike in reports in late January 2026 (Neighbourhood Alert posted 31 January 2026) and into early February 2026.
Hertfordshire Constabulary says these fraudsters often use fake badge numbers to sound official. They may tell you there is a problem with your bank account and ask you to put your bank card in an envelope for a “police courier” or a taxi to pick up from your home. In some cases, victims have lost thousands of pounds to these schemes—Hertfordshire reported incidents including a June 2025 cluster in which victims lost a combined £12,000.
Local community groups and the Herts Connected messaging service are sharing advice to help people spot these tricks before they lose money. This follows previous incidents reported by local outlets such as the Watford Observer, where residents were targeted by similar impersonation scams. Hertfordshire Constabulary reminds the public that the police will never ask you to withdraw money or to hand over your bank cards.
If you get a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Guidance from local police advises waiting 5–10 minutes before making another call (scammers can keep the line open to trick you) or, preferably, using a different phone to call a friend or the police on 101 to make sure the line is clear. You can find more safety updates on the Neighbourhood Alert website.
Anyone who thinks they have been targeted or has shared their details with a caller should report it to the national Report Fraud service. The new Report Fraud service went live on 4 December 2025 and had a full public launch in January 2026 to improve victim support and reporting; reports can be made at reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
