Warning of fraudster posing as police officer

City of London Police is warning the public about a man posing as officer from its force who has been trying to gain people's personal details over the phone.

Men in Doncaster and Sussex were called at home and told someone arrested for drink driving in the City of London had given police their names and addresses. As a result the caller claimed they needed to confirm their own personal details to the police.

A woman in Manchester was approached in a similar way and asked for the date of birth of her son and which mobile phone provider he used.

This appears to have been a 'phishing exercise' with the fraudster using actual dates and places of birth to convince people to hand-over more of their personal information.

By filling in their identity blanks the caller will then have the information needed to commit a crime.

Det Supt Bob Wishart, from the City of London Police Economic Crime Directorate, said:
"I thank the people who have come forward for alerting us to this individual. I would ask all others who feel they may have been approached to do the same.

"This will give us the best chance of identifying this person, and finding out exactly what he has been doing."

The news comes at the end of National Fraud Identity Week, an annual event to raise awareness of identity fraud. Details can be found at: www.stop-idfraud.co.uk/.

Supt Wishart added:
"Fraudsters will use any means at their disposal, including the identity of a police officer, to get the information they need to commit a crime.

"If you are ever unsure about the verities of a phone call from an officer do not give any details and explain you will report it to the local police station."

If you have any details about the fraudster call the City of London Police Fraud Desk on 020 7601 6999 or email frauddesk@cityoflondon.police.uk .

For further information see the City of London Police's identity theft section.