Police Impersonation Scam UK: Spot a Fake Officer Call
Fake police calls are one of the most sophisticated UK scams—but there are clear ways to tell them apart from the real thing.
What a police impersonation scam looks like
A police impersonation scam is a phone call from someone posing as a police officer - often claiming to be from a fraud squad - who says your money or identity is at risk and that you must "help an investigation". The aim is to make you move money, withdraw cash, buy expensive items, or hand over cards or cash to a courier. An example of the style is: `This is DC Smith, warrant number 12345. Your account is part of a fraud investigation.
To keep your money safe, move it to a secure account we'll give you - and don't discuss this with bank staff, it's confidential.`
This is often called courier fraud when a "courier" is sent to collect cash, cards, or valuables. This guide shows the warning signs, how to check, and what to do if you have already acted.
Why these scams are convincing
A caller who sounds authoritative, quotes a "warrant number", and knows a few of your details is frightening, and the number on your screen can be spoofed to look official. Being told it is confidential and not to tell bank staff isolates you from the people who would stop it.
The fact that protects you: the police and your bank will never ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw cash, buy high-value goods, or hand money, cards, or PINs to a courier. Treat any request to move money to a "safe" or "secure" account for an investigation as a scam.
Signs a 'police' call is a scam
- You are told to move money to a new, "safe", or "secure" account.
- You are asked to withdraw cash, buy gold, jewellery, or vouchers, or hand cards or money to a courier.
- You are told to keep it secret and not to tell bank staff or family.
- The caller quotes a warrant or badge number and pressures you to act now.
- You are asked to confirm PINs, passwords, or one-time codes.
- The caller says the number on your screen "proves" they are genuine.
- You are told to stay on the line while you go to the bank.
How the scam works
First, a caller poses as a police officer investigating fraud. Second, they build fear and urgency, and swear you to secrecy. Third, they instruct you to move money to a "safe account", withdraw cash, or buy valuables. Fourth, the money is transferred, or a courier collects the cash or cards. Finally, contact stops and the money is gone.
Hanging up and checking through a number you find yourself breaks the chain. Genuine officers will not object to you ending the call and checking independently.
How to check a 'police' call is genuine
If anything feels rushed or secret, stop.
- Hang up. Wait at least five minutes so the line clears, or use a different phone if you can.
- Call 101 using a number you find yourself, or call 999 if you feel in immediate danger or a courier is on the way.
- Never move money to a "safe account", withdraw cash, or hand money or cards to anyone because of a call.
- If it is about your bank, call 159 or the number on your card.
- Never share PINs, passwords, or one-time codes, and never let a courier collect anything.
- Ignore any claim that the number on your screen proves who is calling - it can be spoofed.
If you are unsure, our impersonation scams when criminals pretend to be your bank or the police and Bank Transfer Scams UK: How to Spot a 'Safe Account' Con guides cover the safe-account con in detail.
If you have already paid or handed over money
Act immediately. Contact your bank on 159 or the number on your card, tell them it was a scam, and ask them to try to recover the payment and stop any further transfers. If you sent money by UK bank transfer on or after 7 October 2024, mandatory APP fraud reimbursement rules may apply to Faster Payments and CHAPS transfers. The PSR rules include a 13-month claim window, a maximum claim amount of £85,000, possible exclusions, and a possible excess of up to £100. Report it to your bank as soon as possible.
If you handed cash or cards to a courier, or shared card or identity details, tell your bank and the police straight away. To protect your identity, consider Cifas Protective Registration at cifas.org.uk and monitor your credit reports with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Keep the caller's number, times, and what was said as evidence.
How to report a police impersonation scam (UK)
Report it to the police: call 101, or call 999 if you are in immediate danger or a courier is on the way. If the scam also reached you as a text message, forward that text to 7726 so your mobile provider can investigate. If it came by email, forward the scam email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
You can also report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040 if you are in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101. Tell your bank as soon as possible if money moved.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trust a phone call that says it's from the police?
Be very cautious. The police will never ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw cash, buy high-value goods, or hand cards, cash, or PINs to a courier. If a call asks for any of that, hang up and call 101 from another line.
The caller quoted a warrant number and the police number showed on my screen - is it real?
That proves nothing. Warrant numbers can be invented and the number on your screen can be spoofed. Hang up, wait at least five minutes or use another phone, and call 101 yourself to check.
A 'police officer' told me to move money to a safe account for an investigation - should I?
No. Treat any request to move money to a safe or secure account because of a police or bank call as a scam, however convincing and urgent the caller sounds.
Someone is coming to collect my cash or bank card - what do I do?
Do not hand anything over. This is courier fraud. If you feel in immediate danger or a courier is on the way, call 999; otherwise hang up and call 101 from another phone, and tell your bank on 159.
How do I report a police impersonation scam?
Call 101, or 999 if in immediate danger. You can also report it to Report Fraud in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland, and tell your bank if money moved.