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Here are the latest fraud alerts from Kent Police.
Courier Fraud – Urgent Alert
Kent Police have received reports from residents in Maidstone of being cold-called by persons stating that they were from Westminster Police and that a person had been arrested with their cards. However, the calls were SCAMS. If you are ever asked to withdraw cash by the police or your bank, hand over your bank cards, or assist with an investigation by buying and handing over valuable items, particularly Gold – STOP IT’S A SCAM. The Police or your Bank will never ask you to do this. If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice about fraud |Kent Police.
Fake Texts messages impersonating family members
Several reports have been reported of Kent residents being targeted with fake messages impersonating family members requesting financial assistance. However, the requests are scams. They will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged
and will then ask for money to purchase a new phone or claim they need money urgently to pay a bill. The criminal will supply their bank details for payment, with some criminals coming back on multiple occasions until the victim realises, they have been scammed.
How to protect yourself?
If a family member or friend makes an unusual request via text, email or WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity. You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding to 7726 and suspicious emails to
Romance Scams
Recently we have seen an increase in the number of reports for this crime type. Criminals will do their research and mould themselves into your perfect match. If they are telling you to keep your relationship private, to hide it from friends and family, they might not be who they say they are. No matter how long you have been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person, it is
important that you do not:
• Send them any money.
• Allow them access to your bank account.
• Transfer money on their behalf.
• Take a loan out for them.
• Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses.
• Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice.
• Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes.
• Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc).
Free Bosch Drill Sets – REALLY?
Action Fraud has received over 600 reports about fake emails offering free BOSCH drill kits. The emails are designed to trick people into clicking onto a link. They will then request that you complete a survey in order to claim the free prize. However, the link takes you to a realistic looking website under the control of the criminals, where they will steal your personal and financial data. Always report suspicious emails by forwarding them to:
HMRC Scams – Fake Phone Calls
Kent Police have been advised by Kent residents about receiving scams emails, text messages and in particular phone calls impersonating HMRC.
One person received a call and when they answered there was a recorded message from a female stating that a letter from HMRC had been sent to
them but had been returned and that they now could expect to receive a fine. This was a SCAM.
HMRC will never –
• Leave a voicemail threatening legal action.
• Threaten arrest.
For more advice on scams from HMRC online