RESIDENTS are being warned following an influx in scammers posing as police officers.

Devon and Cornwall Police has issued a warning to locals after a series of scam phone calls involving fraudsters posing as police officers.

The force has said it has received a number of reports of residents being called by scammers under the guise of ‘assisting with an investigation’.

According to police, 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.’

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police has also confirmed that callers have been using a fake force phone number.

They said: “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.”

Dan Thorogood, Head of Contact Services for Devon & Cornwall Police, 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.

“If you have been a victim of this scam or to one similar, please report it to the police or to Report Fraud. Your information is vital in helping us identify the people who are behind this.”

Residents can report fraud to the police by calling 101 or by completing an online report. Those who have been targeted by a scam or fallen victim can also contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.