Hertfordshire Constabulary is warning residents to stay vigilant following reports of scam phone calls and text messages which appeared to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Seven victims in Borehamwood, Watford and Hemel Hempstead have been contacted by the fraudsters claiming to be the HMRC over the last few weeks.
The victims were told there were outstanding debts or unpaid taxes in their names.
The fraudsters then asked the victims to make bank transfers as payment. One victim lost £1,400.
The fraudsters cold call victims using a spoofed number that appears to be a genuine Hertfordshire Constabulary phone number, sometimes leaving voicemail messages claiming that the victim owes unpaid tax to HMRC.
The victims are asked to call back on the number provided, through which they are told that there is a warrant out in their name and if they don’t pay, the police will arrest them. The victims are also sometimes contacted via text messages asking them to urgently call the number provided.
Detective Inspector Rob Burns, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “These fraudsters tend to target elderly and vulnerable people and use the threat of arrest to frighten them into making bank transfers or using other methods to pay ‘fines’.
“It’s important to remember that government officials and police officers will NEVER contact you in these ways or ask you to buy gift cards, vouchers, withdraw money, purchase goods or hand over private banking details.
“Please help us to raise awareness by talking about this with your friends and family, especially if they are vulnerable or elderly.”
Remember that the police or your bank would NEVER unexpectedly call you and ask you to withdraw cash or move your money to another account, as a result of fraud or any other reason.
If callers suggest you call your local police or bank to check who they are, use another phone or ensure the line has been fully disconnected by phoning a friend or relative first, or by waiting at least five minutes, otherwise you may think you’ve phoned a number, but you’re simply talking to the fraudsters again. This is a common fraudsters’ tactic.
If a caller asks you to type your bank PIN number into your telephone handset – do not do this, as fraudsters can use technology to identify the numbers.
You can opt out of many cold calls by registering for free with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707.
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam please contact Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non- emergency number 101, using a different phone to that used to communicate with the fraudsters.
If a fraud is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
Visit www.actionfraud.police.uk or herts.police.uk/protectyourmoney for advice on avoiding scams.
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