Hit Netflix show highlights the importance of ‘Stop! Think Fraud.’

“We can move the money to a new account, I can give you the details. But you would have to act right now.”

These are the words used by a scammer to get June to transfer £83,000 in a TV show that’s climbing the Netflix charts.

‘Cold Call’, which stars Sally Lindsay and aired in 2019, highlights tactics that are still being used in fraud today.

The main character, June, receives a call from ‘James’ claiming there’s been fraudulent payments out of her account, with the fraudsters having spoken to her mum previously to gather information to make themselves sound legitimate.

We have seen reports throughout Derbyshire over the past weeks of people receiving calls from fake police officers making almost exactly the same claim as featured on ‘Cold Call’.

Fraudulent payments, investigations into fake cash and banking conspiracies have all been used to try and convince Derbyshire residents that their bank accounts aren’t safe.

The real-life scammers have also used the same time pressuring tactics as ‘James’, who also makes a note that June is distracted by a fire alarm during the call, so is less likely to question what she’s being asked to do.

PC Louise Rodger, one of our fraud protect officers, said: “This example shows how important our Stop! Think Fraud advice is to avoid these scams.

“In the show, the call seems convincing due to the information and urgency presented by the scammer. June is also dealing with her mother and a fire alarm whilst on the phone, so she doesn’t have chance to take a moment to properly consider whether this sounds suspicious.

“If you receive a call of this nature, before doing anything else, Stop and Think Fraud. Clear the phone line and contact your bank via a trusted means, such as the number on the back of your card.

“The police or banks will never ring you out of the blue and request banking information, cash or a transfer into a ‘safe’ account.”

Spoilers aside, the programme shows the devastating impact fraud can have on victims and their families. Guilt, embarrassment and anger all feature in the plot.

PC Rodger continues: “There isn’t a ‘typical victim’ when it comes to fraud, due to temporary distractions June was vulnerable for just a few moments, and the criminals took advantage of this.

“Please help us by sharing this message far and wide: Stop! Think Fraud.”

Read more of our fraud-fighting advice on our website: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/police-forces/derbyshire-constabulary/areas/derbyshire-force-content/campaigns/campaigns/2023/sock-it-to-the-scammers/ .

You can watch the clip from ‘Cold Call’ on Channel 5’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv4_d0oKTzE