Scam Alert: Elderly Man Fooled by Fake ‘Police Officer’ Phone Call
An 80-year-old man from Eastleigh was nearly duped by a slick phone scammer claiming to be a cop from Paddington police station. The caller warned him his bank card had been cloned and that an arrest had been made. To make it sound legit, the fraudster asked the man to dial 999 while staying on the line.
Faked 999 Call Almost Seals The Scam
The pensioner did as told and spoke to a supposed emergency operator who confirmed they’d just spoken to the ‘officer’. But then the call line mysteriously dropped out. When the man rang 999 again, this time he spoke to a Hampshire Constabulary call handler who revealed it was all a scam and warned him not to share personal details if called back.
Hampshire Police Warn: Stay Sharp Against Courier Frauds
Hampshire Police said: “Sadly instances of courier fraud like the incident in Eastleigh occur every week, often targeting elderly and vulnerable people with convincing, complex scams.” They urged locals to be vigilant.
Top tips from Hampshire Police:
- A real police officer would NEVER call to ask for money or personal financial info.
- No genuine bank employee will ask you to withdraw cash or hand over card details over the phone.
- Hang up immediately if you get such calls—they’re a scam.
- Use your phone provider’s free call-blocking service to block unwanted calls.
- Check in with elderly friends and relatives—remind them to stay cautious.
Spot a Scam? Report It Now
If you or someone you know falls victim to fraud, report it to police by calling 101. For emergencies, dial 999 immediately.
Protect yourself and stay informed by visiting the Action Fraud website or calling 0300 123 2040.
