Warwickshire Police Scam Calls: What Stratford Residents Should Do

Warwickshire Police is warning about scam calls from fraudsters pretending to be the force, and is asking people in Stratford and across the county to warn any vulnerable friends or relatives. The callers make their calls look as if they come from an 01926 number that used to belong to the police but no longer does, the force said on Monday 2 November.

Police are investigating the calls. They say none has yet led to anyone handing over money.

How the scam calls work

The first call is usually an attempt to get information out of a vulnerable person. The fraudsters then follow up with more calls or emails, and try to mislead the person into handing over money.

Making a call appear to come from another number is known as spoofing, so a familiar-looking number on the phone’s screen doesn’t prove who is calling. The force hasn’t published the number being used, or said which parts of Warwickshire the calls have reached.

What to do if you get a call

• Hang up and call 101 if you have any doubt that a caller is really from the police. The force says no genuine officer or member of staff will object to you doing this.
• Report the call as soon as you can. The police statement says to report it to Action Fraud, which is now called Report Fraud.
• Talk to anyone who might be at risk. The force is asking everyone to have a chat with vulnerable friends and family, so they know about the calls before they get one.

Other scams to watch for in Stratford

This is the second official scam warning here in a week, following the council tax refund emails sent in the district council’s name. For the wider picture, our Stratford crime figures page shows what police record in the town each month.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.