UK police warn of sophisticated bank phone scam

Devon & Cornwall Police have issued a warning about a new phone scam that pretends to be a bank fraud department. The callers claim money is being stolen from the victim’s account and advise the victim to hang up and then call the bank’s 159 service or the bank’s official number. The scam continues by keeping the line open, creating a false dial tone, and persuading the victim to reveal passwords or transfer money to a so‑called “safe account”. The police advise using a different phone – preferably a mobile – when contacting a bank, waiting 30‑60 seconds after hanging up, or confirming the line is clear before dialing. A separate advisory describes how scammers may ask victims to withdraw cash and hand it to a rideshare or delivery driver, or to send funds via cryptocurrency, urging people to never comply with such requests and to report fraud to Action Fraud.