Police Scotland Officer Impersonation Alert

Police Scotland has issued an information alert on officer impersonation, after recent reports of impersonation. The alert contains support and guidance should you experience this, along with tips on how to check an officer’s identity.

If Police Scotland contacts you, they will do so in person, by phone or by email. This will depend on the circumstances surrounding why they need to contact you.

A text-only version of the information alert is available below; the alert is also available to view or download as a pdf (linked for your convenience).

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(From page 2 onwards.)

“There have been recent reports regarding Police Officer impersonation. This document has been sent to you in order to raise awareness and to provide you with support and guidance should you experience such an occurrence.

How to check an officer’s identity

If Police Scotland contacts you, we will do so in person, by phone or by email. This will depend on the circumstances surrounding why we need to contact you.

Contact in person

If one of our officers contacts you in person, they will show you their Police Scotland warrant card. This is proof of their identity and authority and you can verify this by dialling 101. Our Officers will never put you under pressure as you make this check and never let any person into your home unless you are certain they are who they say they are.

Contact by phone and email

If one of our Police officers or Staff needs to speak to you on the phone or by email, they will identify themselves clearly.

They will never:

• ask you for your bank details or PIN
• ask you to transfer funds to another account
• ask you to hand over cash or bank cards to a courier
• ask you to pay a fine or a fee to them or a third party over the phone or online
• ask you for remote access to your computer, passwords or log on details over the phone or online
• ask you to register personal details in an attachment they send or website they direct you towards
• ask you to ‘assist’ in an investigation by doing any of the above
• communicate in an abusive, threatening or coercive manner
• ask you to click on a hyperlink to participate in an investigation

Remember if you’re unsure about whether the person you’re dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity. You should also contact 101 if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud.

If you have been a victim of crime, and it is not an ongoing emergency, you can report this to Police Scotland on 101.”