Police warn of telephone scam

POLICE are warning Warrington residents not to fall victim to phone fraudsters posing as police officers.
The warning comes as Cheshire Police officers investigate incidents elsewhere in the county.
In one, a woman in her 80s received a phone call from a man who said he was from Hammersmith Police.
He told her that her bank cards had been compromised and that her two bank accounts had been affected. She was also informed that the offenders, who worked at the bank, had counterfeit money.
They advised the victim to withdraw cash from her account so they could check it as it may have been counterfeit. She withdrew a sum of money and a man came to her house to pick it up.
The offender is described as black, 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build. He had his hair cut about an inch long. He was smartly dressed in a white shirt, grey suit trousers and patent leather shoes.
Inspector Steve Griffiths said: “We know from past experience that phone frauds tend to happen more than once as offenders target the area before moving on to the next, so we are advising residents to be aware of this latest scam and bear in mind the following advice if you receive a cold call.”
Police say people should not be afraid to put the phone down on someone they are unsure about – and point out that banks never call and ask for four-digit card pin numbers or ask you to withdrawn money or transfer money to another account.
It should not be assumed a caller is genuine because they have some information about you.
Always be wary of callers who ask you to call them back and, if the caller claims to be a police office, ask for the name, collar number and station. Then, using a different phone, call 101 to check the identity of the officer.
Anyone who thinks they may already have been a victim of the scam should contact their bank or card company immediately.