What is happening
A caller says they are a police officer. They may say your bank details were stolen in a data breach, that someone has your card and ID, or that a relative is in custody. You may be passed between several 'officers', given a case number, and told to move your money to a 'safe account', hand cash or cards to a courier, or pay a fine.
The warning signs
- An unexpected call from someone saying they are police
- You are told your details were caught up in a data breach
- You are passed to other 'officers' and given a case number
- You are asked to move money to a 'safe account' or mention of cryptocurrency
- You are asked to hand cash or bank cards to a courier
What to do
- Hang up. Police will never call out of the blue to ask for personal or financial information
- Never move money, hand over cash or cards, or pay a fine over the phone
- If you think you have been scammed, call your bank straight away on the number on your card
- Report it to Report Fraud, or call 101 in Scotland
- Forward scam call numbers by texting 'call' and the number to 7726
Already paid or shared your details?
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email.
- Report it (see below).
- Tell someone you trust. Scams catch careful people too.
United Kingdom
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
United States
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Canada
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Australia
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Anywhere else
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
Sources
- How to spot a police impersonation scam
Which? · 2026-09-30
We summarise warnings published by the organisations above. If something here is wrong, tell us and we will correct it.