POLICE are warning residents to be vigilant over a phone scam involving fraudsters posing as police officers.

Recently Devon and Cornwall Police has been informed that people are being called by scammers under the guise of “assisting with an investigation”.

The callers often pose as a police officer and have at times given a fictitious crime reference number to appear genuine in an apparent attempt to gain information, including financial details.

It is believed fraudsters have spoofed a Devon and Cornwall Police phone number, again increasing the appearance of the call being genuine in nature.

Scammers have also targeted other force areas and used numbers for other police forces.

Devon and Cornwall Police Head of Contact Services Dan Thorogood said: “Fraudsters can be very convincing as well as persuasive and demanding.

“Victims are often told to not tell their friends or family that they are ‘helping’ with an investigation.

“Genuine police officers will never call out of the blue to ask you to hand over sensitive personal details. You should always verify who the person is before passing any information and should not rely on Caller ID to do so.”

You can report fraud to the police by calling 101 or by completing an online report: devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/fo/v2/report-fraud-bribery-corruption.

Individuals who have been targeted by a scam or fallen victim can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk.

Any police, bank, fraud department or similar will never ask you to transfer money or ask you to purchase items; become involved in an investigation or assist them by transferring or using your own money; withdraw your money and give it to a courier; or give out yours or someone’s card pin number or full card details.