Fake policeman targets elderly

People in Hertfordshire are being warned not to give any personal details if anyone calls them claiming to be a police officer.

Officers from the Serious and Organised Crime team are currently investigating a number of incidents where a man claiming to be a policeman investigating fraud calls on the elderly and asks them for their bank details, including their PIN numbers.

Six calls of this nature were reported to Hertfordshire Constabulary from people in the county in just one day.

In five of these incidents the residents suspected the call was not legitimate and did not pass on their details to the caller.

However, in one case, the resident gave their details and a large amount of money is believed to have been taken out of their account.

Paul Chinery is the Detective Chief Inspector from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. He told Heart:

" We are investigating in excess of 50 similar incidents which we believe are linked. We believe this is an issue which is not exclusive to Hertfordshire as similar offences are being investigated in other areas of the country.

"In the majority of cases the attempts to obtain bank details have been unsuccessful. However I am very keen to prevent further victims. A police officer would never ask for bank details so, if you have a call of this nature, do not give any personal details to the caller and call police as soon as possible."

If you have recently been called by a person claiming to be a police officer and have been asked for your bank details and PIN number please call the non-emergency number on 0845 330 0222