North Yorkshire Police has warned residents to be "on their guard" against fraudsters after a new telephone scam saw one person lose "thousands of pounds."
As part of the scam, fraudsters are calling victims claiming to be a police officer and asking them to withdraw money.
This call was then picked up another fraudster claiming to be a “police courier.”
A police spokesperson said:
“Please do not hand over any money or pass your bank details to anyone who calls on the phone or at your home.
“In this case, the suspects claimed to have found bank cards in a store and convinced the victim that they were carrying out an investigation into fake money and that they should withdraw a large amount of cash, put it in a bag and someone would collect it.
“They told the victim to verify them by calling 999 but the suspects stayed on line but the victim assumed they were talking to the police.”
The spokesperson added:
“Criminals are experts at impersonating banks, trusted organisations or the police.
“They will try to rush and panic you into responding to their requests. It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore these requests.
“If you’re contacted out of the blue, you can call us back to verify an officer, but please make sure the criminals are no longer on the line.
“Hang up and wait at least five minutes before you call, better still, use a different line or phone altogether if you can.”
If you have been targeted by similar fraudsters, call police on 101. If you have any suspicious people calling at your home, don't answer the door and call police on 999.
Skipton charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising
Skipton Brass Band Conductor shines on Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors
New school observatory opens to inspire next generation of astronomers
Brave dippers raise more than £5,000 at Sue Ryder’s first Big Dip Dales
Tourism tax would be a 'hammer blow' for hospitality, says Skipton MP
New train timetables on Airedale Line from Sunday
An evening with Inbetweeners comedian in Silsden
Skipton named happiest place to live in the UK
Funding available to help rural community groups grow stronger and work smarter
Come say hello to Santa in Skipton
Friends of the Dales Launches ‘Eyes on the Skies’ Campaign to Stop Raptor Persecution
Sue Ryder's Christmas Treecycling scheme launched
Skipton MP praises 'tremendous progress' of £82.5million Kex Gill project
Skipton to feature in new North Yorkshire Calendar
Ermysted's to adopt new Year 7 Admissions Test
Accounting firm in Silsden celebrates 7 years in business
