Scam Calls from Government Departments.

This article is a copy of the one published by the police community messaging team. Original article can be found here

Your phone says it's your bank, HMRC, the NHS, the police, DVLA or your telecoms provider... but is it really?

Criminals can now use phone number spoofing to make a call appear to come from a trusted organisation, even when it doesn't. The number displayed on your phone screen cannot always be trusted. 

The safest response is simple:

HANG UP. LOOK UP. CALL BACK.

If you receive an unexpected call:

🔹 Hang up politely.

🔹 Tell the caller you will contact the organisation yourself.

🔹 Call back using a number you already know and trust, such as:

• The number on the back of your bank card

• An official letter or bill

• The organisation's official website

• 159 for your banks Fraud Team

❌ Never use a number provided by the caller.

❌ Never trust Caller ID alone. 

🚩 Be especially suspicious if you're asked to:

• Transfer money to a "safe account"

• Share passwords, PINs or security codes

• Download software

• Allow remote access to your computer or phone

• Act immediately to stop “criminals” taking money from your account or to avoid a fine, arrest, account closure or other consequence

Legitimate organisations will support your decision to verify who they are. Scammers will do all they can to keep you on the line and pressure you into acting quickly. 

📞 Extra Safety Tip

If possible, use a different phone to call the organisation back. Always use a number obtained independently from a thoroughly trusted source.

Remember:

🛑 STOP and think.

📵 HANG UP the call.

🔍 VERIFY using a trusted number.

🛡️ PROTECT your personal and financial information.

📢 REPORT these suspicious calls and fraud attempts, initially to the genuine organisation. 

Key Message

Don't trust the number on the screen. Trust the process. Hang up, look up, and call back using a trusted number.

If You Receive any Suspicious Message

📧 Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete them.

📱 Forward suspicious text messages free of charge to 7726 (spells "SPAM" on your keypad) and then delete them.

 If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime

🌐 Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud

📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040

📞 To quickly contact your bank dial 159

 👥Please share this advice with friends, family, and colleagues to help keep Devon & Cornwall safe online.