Kent Police Alert

Published: 01 May 2025

Over the last couple of days Kent police have received various calls from Swale residents reporting that they have received phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer. They give a fake police officer name and force number and state they are part of the Economical Crime Team at Sittingbourne Police Station. (There isn’t such a department.) They claim there have been some irregularities spotted within the bank account of the person they are calling before requesting the person hangs up and calls the police. The criminal pretending to be a police officer will keep the line open their end and when the poor victim calls 999, they will pretend to be a police call taker where they then ask for the victim’s bank details.

This type of crime is highly sophisticated, and the criminals are well trained in what they are doing. There have already been 10 calls from Swale residents and these are only those reporting it; there will be many more and unfortunately it is quite often that those who become victims of this type of crime don’t report it through embarrassment. The calls have thus far very much been targeting the elderly and the pattern appear to be alphabetical through the phone book for those with Swale addresses.

Please use the link below for information on what to do if you are unsure as to whether the person calling you is a genuine police officer.

https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/how-to-check-an-officers-identity/#:~:text=How%20to%20check,123%202040.