Beware! Police Impersonation Scam Hits Salisbury
Salisbury residents have been targeted by a slick new scam where crooks pretend to be police officers. This con, known as Courier Fraud, tricks victims over the phone and steals their cash by exploiting trust.
How Courier Fraud Works
- Fake Police Calls: Scammers ring up pretending to be police or bank officials.
- Gaining Trust: They confirm basic personal info like your name and address to sound legit.
- The Bait: Claiming money has wrongly been taken from your account, they ask for funds to test or “buy” evidence.
- Withdraw Cash: Victims are told to take out large sums of money.
- Courier Collects: A supposed courier picks up the cash to check for fingerprints or counterfeit notes, or victims may be instructed to post the money.
- Password Trick: Victims often provide a password that the courier uses to collect the cash.
Scam Surge in Salisbury
Over the last six days, there have been nine reported cases of this scam in Salisbury. The fraudsters claim to be from high-profile units like the Flying Squad, the Metropolitan Police, or Bourne Hill Police Station.
How to Protect Yourself
- Hang Up: If you suspect a scam call, end it immediately. Verify any claims by calling your bank or police from a different phone.
- Keep Your Card Safe: Never hand over your debit or credit card to strangers. Only provide your card at your bank and destroy old cards.
- Report Suspicious Calls: If you’ve had a scam call but no money was lost, contact the Salisbury Neighbourhood Policing team or visit the Bourne Hill police enquiry office.
- Lost Money? Report it straight away via 101 or the online police reporting system.
- Emergency? If you think a crime is happening right now, dial 999 immediately.
Inspector Tina Osborn warns: “These callous criminals don’t just steal money—they ruin lives. Stay alert and spread the word, especially to elderly friends and family.”
