Warning after ‘massive spike’ in fake calls claiming to be from Derbyshire Police
“Officers will never call you and ask for any financial details such as bank account numbers, PINs, or cryptocurrency information.”
Police have issued a warning after a ‘massive spike’ in fake calls claiming to be from Derbyshire Constabulary - and using a phone number linked to the force.
Officers said the calls, many of which were made on Monday afternoon, use a 'number spoofing' technique, whereby the fraudster changes the number displayed on people's phones when the call comes through.
However, none of these calls - from a number starting with 01773 and ending in 215 - have been made from Derbyshire police officers or staff.
Derbyshire Police said: “The fraudsters are claiming to be police officers, stating that the victim's details have been recovered as part of a criminal investigation. They have then asked for personal details, including financial information.
“Our officers will never call you and ask for any financial details such as bank account numbers, PINs, or cryptocurrency information.
“Anyone who receives such a call should hang up.
“Do not share any information over the phone. Please do not call us on 101 or 999 to report this to us.
“The volume of calls about this fraudulent activity is causing unusually high wait times and this is why we want people to report online instead.”
To report a fraudulent call, residents are urged to use the tools on the force website at https://www.derbyshire.police.uk, or send a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page.
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.