161

Got a call from a number that was blocked, the person claimed to be from the police in Hammersmith and said they had someone in custody who’d given my address. They told me to check their badge number, DC Johnson #1140025, by ringing 161. Something felt off, especially when I heard my own dial tone coming back to me. I wasn’t falling for it, so I didn’t ring their number. They tried calling again shortly afterwards but didn’t bother leaving a voicemail!

I got a call from someone saying he was PC Willis from Hammersmith Police, telling me to ring 161 to check who he was. He spun a tale about cloned credit cards and some bloke caught pretending to be my grandson. Obviously, 161 isn’t a real police number, so it’s pretty obvious this scam is doing the rounds again. Don’t fall for it!

Got a call from someone saying they're PC Harper No 75302 from the London Metropolitan Police, telling me my credit card had been cloned and to ring 161. It was clearly a scam so I didn’t bother calling back. A couple of minutes later, they called again asking if I’d phoned them on 161. They quickly hung up when I didn’t respond and then I blocked the number.

Someone called me claiming to be DC Arnold (JT251) from the Met Police saying they caught a guy using my card who claimed to be my grandson. They told me to report to 161 and gave me a crime ref number. Then I got a few calls from people saying they were from the Section 4 fraud squad, one guy called himself Martin Spencer. He said my bank would get in touch and he’d ring back too, but I never heard from them again. They sounded super legit tho. I didn’t give any bank info though. When I looked up 161 I saw a story almost the same as mine.

Got a call from a DC Arnold MK741 from London Met Police, saying a bloke claiming to be my grandson got nicked for using a cloned Visa card with my details. They told me to contact my local cops or ring 161.

Some bloke claiming to be police from Hammersmith called my elderly folks saying there were kids using cloned bank cards. Told them to call 161 to check it out. Then just put the phone down.

Someone called from a withheld number saying they were DC Roberts, badge EK3447, from Hammersmith Police, asking if I knew a John Bailey. When I asked for some proof, they told me to call the police non-emergency number 161 (which I've never come across before). Moments later, another withheld number called, and when I answered, a woman said it was the 161 police non-emergency line. I decided not to continue the conversation. Feels like a dodgy scam, quite like others I’ve read about.

Got a call from someone claiming to be West Midland police, saying they had a girl in custody who gave my name and address. She allegedly had £11,000 in cash and cloned bank cards. The man called himself DI Russell and gave me a crime reference, telling me to call 161 straight away. When I did call later, no answer. Then I called 101 and got transferred to Northumbria police, who confirmed it was a scam and said no harm done since I didn’t give any bank details. Still, it was quite unsettling.

The caller ID was blocked but it was the same old tale, some DCI Greenwood with badge number MK 1962, calling from Covent Garden Police Station claiming they had a young individual in custody and asking if I recognised the name and address they gave. They also asked if I knew about cloned cards and what emergency number to dial to confirm their identity. Since I don’t have any grandchildren, I figured it was a scam. I hung up, but then got another call from a barred number.

Caller claimed to be Sgt Green from New Scotland Yard crime unit, said money was withdrawn from my account.

Got a call claiming to be from the Hammersmith cops. Pretty much the same story others have mentioned.

Had a call from someone acting like they were a cop.

Somebody claiming to be DC ROBERTS linked to a fraud investigation called me. They provided an ID, EK452, and a crime reference number, then urged me to dial 161, saying it connects directly to my bank’s fraud team, who would then pass me back to him. I said no way and told them I’d contact the bank on my own instead - obviously a scam. After that, I tried calling his number - 07425252924 - but it was just switched off!

Someone saying they were Det Sgt Richards with ID A105 called me. They said my debit card was charged £700 in Manchester. Definitely a scam, don’t believe it!

161 843 2021 seems linked to Manchester and involves stuff about tax fraud and evasion.

Got a call from DC Ryan at Hammersmith Police, number was blocked. Told me the same story as others here. I rang 161 to check but while looking it up found out it’s a known scam. Tried to reach Action Fraud but no luck getting through. Gonna try the banks now just to be safe.

Was told it was DC Ryan from Hammersmith Police station.

Got a call from a bloke saying he was DC Mark Fox from Hammersmith Police, saying my address had a cloned card linked to it. He told me to ring 161 to make sure he was legit. I phoned 1471 first to check the number (which was withheld), then got a call back from another person claiming I’d dialled 161 (also withheld). Looked up 161 online and it’s a dodgy scam. Proper worrying stuff.

Someone called claiming to be DC Roberts from Charing Cross Police Station, saying they had arrested someone who tried to withdraw £500 from my account using my debit card. He claimed to have several of my cards and personal details, and asked me to confirm the colour of my card. I didn’t give any info, and he told me to ring 161 if I changed my mind. I’m in my eighties, so I phoned my daughter who checked with my bank and it turned out to be a total scam.

I got a call from someone claiming to be DC Mark Douglas from Paddington Green police station, saying my card was used to buy a laptop by a relative who apparently had permission from their grandad. They told me to ring the police non-emergency line, then asked if I knew the number. When I said 101, they said no, it was 161 and told me to call right away. They even gave me a badge and crime number. I didn’t ring them, instead I checked the 161 number and it turns out it’s a scam. They can sound really believable, so don’t get caught out by the 161 nonsense.

Some guy rang me saying he was Thomas Matthews, gave a badge number BD511 and claimed he worked for the serious fraud office. He told me my visa card had been used in Croydon trying to buy a laptop from Argos. He told me to ring 161 to check everything and find out what to do next. I googled 161 just to be sure and as I thought, it’s a scam. (101 is the actual police non emergency number). It’s quite believable if you’re not paying attention.

Just got a call here in London N11 from someone saying they were ‘DC Michael Greenway, warrant no MK 1962, Hammersmith police fraud squad’. They mentioned the same stuff about a nephew and money laundering like others have reported on here. Really thankful to everyone for pointing out that calls starting with 161 are a scam - much appreciated!

My mum got a call from someone claiming to be a DCI at Forest Green police, telling her her nephew had been arrested for having copies of all her credit cards. They told her to ring 161 with a crime ref and badge number to report it. She said she didn’t know anything and wanted to speak to her daughters first, then the caller just dropped the line. Total scam, no doubt about it!

I had exactly the same scam attempt as other people mentioned. A man calling himself "DCI Mason Greenwood" from Forest Gate Police phoned me saying someone pretending to be my grandson had been caught with fake copies of my credit cards. He listed loads of official sounding ID numbers and a crime reference, and kept pushing me to ring 160 straight away (he said it used to be 161). His pushy attitude made me very wary, so I ended the call. I then contacted Surrey Police, who confirmed all the ID numbers were made up. It’s a complete con trying to steal your bank and card info.

Total rip off, dont call any of the numbers they provide.

DCI Greenwood supposedly calling from Forest Gate police station. Number not given. When I asked for which station and his badge number, he rattled off something so quick I couldn’t catch it properly. He said someone’s been arrested claiming to be my grandson and using my address. The bloke’s first name was Marcus, last name same as mine. I told him I didn’t know anyone like that, and he just said “That’s all I need to know” and hung up. Seems strange a Detective Chief Inspector would be handling something this small. Funny how loads of similar calls are popping up on here!

I got a call from a guy who said he was DC Craig Sutton, badge number DC 112, from Hammersmith Police station. He told me two people were locked up for cloning credit cards. He started explaining all about the card cloning stuff and said my card was part of their investigation. Then he asked if I knew the non emergency police number and told me to ring 161 to confirm everything he said and that he was genuine. Of course I didn’t phone that number, instead I looked it up online, which is how I found this website.

Detective Constable Alex McQueen from the fraud team called me, ref number ti6061, crime ref cr674101011. Natile Morgan, pretending to be my granddaughter, is apparently at the police station (didn't say which one) with my bank card. They reckon it's a fake. I’m not stupid, so I never handed over anything. The guy kept calling me "my dear," which felt really off - no proper police officer I know would say that. Never ever press any numbers when someone calls - it’s a scam. People like that should be arrested by real cops.

Some bloke rang saying he was DCI Howard from Paddington Green Police, saying there was suspicious stuff going on with my credit card. He told me to ring 161 to give them info, but I said I’d just ring Nationwide myself. He kept pushing me not to, then he hung up. Got two more calls from a similar number after that but I didn’t pick up. Had a look on this site to check and figured it was dodgy.

Got a call from a withheld number, some bloke claiming to be PC Mark Andrews, badge EK213. He said he’d arrested a guy named Derek Leeson for buying a Plasma TV with a debit card. He even gave a crime ref 150MD87 and wanted me to ring back quick on 161. Total scam though, don’t fall for it!

Got a call from some bloke named Jonathan White saying he was a cop from the fraud squad at Hammersmith station. He claimed my debit card had been used for a payment over £3000. He tried to get me to ring a “non emergency” police number, 161, but wouldn’t give any other contact details. Then he told me to call 999 instead. Totally a scam, but I can see how someone less suspicious might fall for it.

I just got a call from someone claiming to be from the Visa Fraud team (which I later found out isn’t real) - a Detective Butcher, badge no. pX365. They said my card was used fraudulently in London and told me to call 161. Luckily, that number didn’t connect. I contacted my bank and they confirmed it was a scam.

Some bloke rang sayin he was a cop and that someone got nicked using my name. He told me to ring 161 and ask for a detective called Gibson. When I rang 161, the person on the other end started askin about my bank details. I got a bad feeling and just hung up. Later I checked it out and turns out it was a total scam.

My gran got a phone call from someone pretending to be a policeman, saying someone tried to use her bank card fraudulently. Luckily, she didn’t get tricked. They told her to call 161 to “confirm” some details but she refused and stayed safe. Be careful and don’t get caught out like that!

Some bloke claiming to be a police officer was asking loads of questions about me and my bank cards.

No words said, but you can hear people chatting in an office behind the call.

Pretty much the same as before. A guy claimed he was calling from Charing Cross police station, saying some bloke named Derek Leeson had been caught because he was using my bank card and was involved in cloning. He said he was DC Stuart Madon from the serious fraud prevention team, badge number DX1970. He wouldn’t say which card was cloned. Told me to stay on the line and dial 999 to confirm his identity, and to call 161 to get a claim number. I felt something was off. Didn’t dial 999. He already had my address though. When I rang back, the caller ID was blocked.

Some bloke rang me saying he was from the Hammersmith cops. Typical scam really. Looked it up and that police station is actually closed right now.

Same here, got a call from someone claiming to be from the fraud unit at the police. They gave a name and badge number, said a woman was busted for using my visa to buy a laptop. They asked me to call 161 with the info. Tried calling 161, no answer, then got a callback. My husband looked up 161 online and found out it's actually not safe at all. I hung up before giving any info, so relieved I didn’t fall for it!

Someone called, saying they were Thomas Matthew with badge BD511, claiming my Visa had been charged £499.99 in Croydon. He said he was from the Serious Fraud Office and gave me a crime reference number, telling me to ring 161 to confirm and find out what to do next. (Funny thing is, 101 is actual police number.) After hanging up, my phone rang a couple of times but nobody was there, just a dial tone. I reckon it was a trick to keep the line open and play a dial tone. As always, I wouldn’t call them back on the same phone - using my mobile to dial the number showed it wasn’t even valid.

They should totally bring back Police Five! Miss those old days.

Someone saying he was Det Inspector David Marshall, badge number BJ533 from the Serious Fraud Office, rang me on 24th April 2019. He said my card had been copied and a purchase of £499.99 had been made that day in North London, quite far from where I live. He gave me a crime reference number and told me to ring 161. When I did, the line cut out twice, then a person rang me back asking if I was safe before putting me through to Det Inspector David Marshall again. This time he told me the amount had been refunded and they were investigating. They suspected fraud.

Yeah, happened to my dad too, he’s 92 and lives on his own. I’ve worked in the police, so I’ve talked to him about not giving info to scam calls. He rang me saying some bloke told him his card was cloned, and £745 spent on a TV nearby, with a number starting 161 to report it. Before he could call me back, someone called him again asking if he’d contacted 161, which he hadn’t. We checked with his bank, no money gone. It really shook him up. These scammers are truly the worst kind, just lowlife thieves. Don’t get caught by their disgusting tricks.