A real scam attempt in our local community

This evening, one of our customers received a call that’s a timely reminder to be cautious with unexpected callers. At 10pm on 5 November 2026, they received an anonymous phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer.

The caller even gave a badge number to sound convincing. They said they had arrested someone at an airport, and that this person had our customer’s passport details. The caller then asked them to confirm those details.

It was a frightening story, designed to make anyone feel they needed to act quickly. But our customer didn’t confirm anything. Instead, they asked the caller to repeat their name and provide their shoulder number and police station. The caller couldn’t even pronounce the station correctly.

They calmly said, “OK, I’ll ring the station to confirm.” The call ended immediately.

They reported the call on 101. We’re sharing what happened (with our customer’s permission and no names) so you and your family know what to look out for. This is a police impersonation scam, sometimes called vishing. A form of phishing carried out over the phone.

How the caller tried to create pressure

The story combined several tactics that can catch people off guard:

• Fear: “Someone has your passport details” is alarming.
• Authority: Claiming to be a police officer, and giving a badge number, may make a caller sound legitimate.
• Urgency: A story about an arrest can make you feel you must cooperate straight away.

The caller’s aim appeared to be getting our customer to say their passport information aloud. Once a caller has personal details, they may use them to try to build trust, impersonate you or pursue further fraud.

We can’t know everything the caller intended. But you don’t need to prove a call is a scam before protecting your information. If an unexpected caller asks for your details, stop and verify them independently.

What our customer did right

Their response is a useful example to follow. They didn’t argue or feel pressured to answer. They asked for identifying information, noticed something didn’t add up, and said they would call the station using a trusted route.

The caller hanging up when our customer said they would verify the story was a serious warning sign. It isn’t proof on its own, but a legitimate officer should not object to you taking reasonable steps to check who you’re speaking to.

You don’t have to be confrontational. You can simply say: “I’m not confirming anything on this call. I’ll contact the police directly using the official number.”

Then end the call.

Remember these safety rules

• Never confirm your passport number or other personal details to an unexpected caller. The same applies to bank details, your address, passwords, security codes and account information.
• Don’t rely on a badge number or a convincing story as proof. Ask for the caller’s name, shoulder number and station, but treat these as details to verify, not evidence that the call is genuine.
• Call back using a number you find yourself. Use 101 or the police force’s official contact details from Police.uk. Don’t use a number the caller gives you.
• Don’t trust caller ID alone. Number spoofing can make a call appear to come from a local number or an official organisation. The number on your screen isn’t proof of who is calling.
• Take your time. A caller’s urgency is not a reason to share information. A genuine concern can be checked through official channels.

If a caller says there is a real police matter, ask how you can verify it and whether you should contact or attend your local station. You can also ask for a reference number. Verify any information independently before acting. Police guidance explains how to check an officer’s identity.

This also connects with previous warnings about number spoofing: even a call that appears to come from a familiar or official number may not be genuine. For more information about voice-based scams, see Report Fraud’s guidance on vishing and its warning about spoofed calls impersonating police forces.

What to do if you get a call like this

1. Don’t confirm anything. You don’t owe an unexpected caller your personal details.
2. Ask for their name, shoulder number and station. Write the details down if you can. Don’t let questions or a confident tone pressure you into answering theirs.
3. End the call and verify independently. Call 101, or use the official contact details listed on Police.uk. Never call a number supplied by the caller. If possible, use another phone or wait a few minutes before calling back.
4. Report the attempt. You can report suspicious police impersonation calls to 101. For fraud or a loss of money, report it through Report Fraud, the service that replaced Action Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Action Fraud’s website also provides fraud information and directs visitors to the current service. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.
5. Tell someone you trust. Share the warning with family, friends and neighbours. A calm conversation can help everyone recognise the same pressure tactics.

If you already shared information

Please don’t blame yourself. These calls are made to unsettle people, and anyone can be caught off guard. Act promptly instead:

• If you shared bank details or made a payment, contact your bank using its official number as soon as possible.
• If you shared passport information, contact HM Passport Office using the contact details on GOV.UK.
• Report suspected fraud through Report Fraud or contact police on 101 for guidance.
• Don’t use phone numbers or links sent to you by the caller.

Please share this local scam alert

Police forces, including Lincolnshire Police, regularly share fraud-prevention advice through campaigns such as #LincolnshireAgainstFraud. The central message is simple: don’t let a caller’s claimed authority, apparent phone number or urgent story stop you from checking safely.

Our customer did the right thing: question, pause and verify through official channels. There’s no judgment if you’ve answered a caller’s questions before. What matters is knowing that you can stop, hang up and get help.

Please share this Lincolnshire scam warning with your family, friends and neighbours, especially anyone who may feel worried about challenging an official-sounding caller.

Need a hand checking something?

We’re a friendly local IT team in Boston. If you’re unsure whether a message, email or online request is genuine, we’d rather you ask than feel you have to decide alone. We can offer free technology advice at our Boston location, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. All office visits must be pre-booked.

Call us on 01205 627240 or email [email protected]. We aim to respond to enquiries within three hours during business hours.

For an immediate threat or emergency, call 999. For non-emergency police advice, use 101. You can also visit our contact page.

Stay safe, take your time, and don’t be afraid to verify.