Scam calls to older people are in the news again, and the safest response is simple: if a caller says they are the police and asks about money, bank details or your computer, hang up and check using a number you already trust. Hertfordshire Constabulary warned on 14 October 2026 that fraudsters are calling residents while posing as police fraud officers. A short family plan, agreed calmly now, helps a parent in Welwyn Garden City or Hatfield feel confident about putting the phone down.
To talk anything through with someone local, our Welwyn Hatfield team is on 01707 714 000.
Nobody needs to be alarmed or embarrassed about this. These callers are practised and persuasive, and anyone can be caught out. What helps most is knowing the warning signs in advance and having a trusted voice to check with.
What are these police impersonation calls?
According to Hertfordshire Constabulary, callers have claimed to be detectives from a cyber crime unit, in one case Essex Police's Cyber Crime Unit. They have said a person's details were stolen in a cyber attack, and offered a real police phone number, a badge number and a crime reference to seem genuine. Essex Police later confirmed no such officer existed and that similar calls had been made across the region.
The Bishop's Stortford Independent reported on 15 October 2026 that calls of this kind had been reported in several Hertfordshire towns. These included Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.
On the same day, Report Fraud, run by City of London Police, issued an alert about police forces being impersonated in scam calls. It warns that criminals use spoofing software so a call appears to come from a real police number. The calls may be automated, use AI or involve a real person.
Why scam calls to older people can feel so convincing
Scam calls to older people often work by borrowing trust. A caller who sounds official, quotes a reference number and talks about protecting your savings can be hard to doubt in the moment.
Report Fraud is clear that caller ID is not proof of identity. A number on the screen can look exactly like a police station's, and still be a fraudster.
Report Fraud warns that these calls often create urgency or pressure, and may claim a person is helping with an investigation. That pressure is the moment a familiar, trusted person can make all the difference.
The warning signs every family should share
Hertfordshire Constabulary says a genuine bank or police officer will never:
- Ask for your bank account details or PIN.
- Ask you to withdraw money or buy high-value items and hand them to a courier or taxi.
- Ask you to send your bank cards or other belongings by courier or taxi.
- Ask to access your computer or phone remotely.
If any of these come up, the call is a scam. It is fine to end it straight away, without explaining or apologising.
What to do after a suspicious call
Hang up first. Then check, using a number you already know, such as the one on the back of a bank card.
Fraudsters can keep a landline connected after you put the phone down. Hertfordshire Constabulary advises waiting at least five minutes before calling out, or using a mobile or a neighbour's phone. You could also test the line by ringing a friend or relative first.
These are the routes named in this month's police alerts:
- Police, non-emergency: call 101 or report online at herts.police.uk/report.
- Emergency or crime in progress: call 999.
- Worried about a bank account: call 159 to reach your bank, or visit your local branch.
- Report Fraud: call 0300 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk.
- Suspicious calls: text 7726 with the word "Call" followed by the caller's number.
Reporting matters even when no money was lost. Hertfordshire Constabulary says reports may help trace where the calls come from.
A simple plan for scam calls and older people at home
A family plan works best when it is agreed over a cup of tea, not after a worrying call. Keep it short and write it down by the phone.
- One rule: we never discuss money, PINs or computers with a caller, whoever they say they are.
- One check: after any odd call, ring a named family member before doing anything else.
- Trusted numbers: the bank, the GP surgery and two family contacts, written clearly.
- Phone settings: Hertfordshire Constabulary suggests asking the phone provider about call screening and caller display.
Hertfordshire County Council's scams page adds further practical help. It mentions registering with the Telephone Preference Service and explains that some phones have call blocking built in. Trading Standards keeps a small stock of call blockers for vulnerable victims and asks people to get in touch if they need one.
The council page also describes Friends Against Scams, which aims to help people avoid becoming victims of scams, through a short awareness session or online training. It lists Senior Watch email alerts from Hertfordshire Constabulary and Neighbourhood Watch about crime risks for older residents.
How a familiar carer can be a trusted second voice
A fraudster relies on a person being alone with the phone. A regular visitor changes that, quietly and without fuss.
Our companionship care is built around familiar carers and consistent visit times. When a parent knows who is coming and when, it becomes natural to mention a strange call over a cup of tea. A carer can gently remind them of the family's plan and encourage them to ring their son or daughter.
Carers also notice small changes: unusual worry, unexpected post or talk of a "police investigation". With the care plan agreed with the family, they know who to tell.
This sits well alongside the advice in our guide on whether a parent living alone is still managing well. If you already care for a parent yourself, our piece on carer support in Welwyn Garden City looks at sharing the load.
Companionship and home care in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield
We are a CQC-regulated home care provider with a local team across Welwyn Hatfield, from Welwyn village and Digswell to Brookmans Park. Companionship visits can be combined with other support at home if needs change.
Visiting care is from £34 a visit, and live-in care is from £255 a day (couples from £295 a day). These are starting rates, and a price is agreed after an assessment.
Our Welwyn Hatfield team is on 01707 714 000 or welwynhatfield@starlinghomecare.co.uk. You can read more on our Welwyn Hatfield home care page.
Common questions about scam calls in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield
Will the police ever ask me to move money to keep it safe?
No. Hertfordshire Constabulary says a genuine officer will never ask you to withdraw money, buy high-value items or hand anything to a courier. Report Fraud says the police will never ask you to transfer money or share financial details.
The number on the screen was a real police number. Could it still be a scam?
Yes. Report Fraud warns that criminals use spoofing software to copy real numbers, and that caller ID is not proof of identity. Hang up and call back on a number you already know.
How long should my parent wait before calling the bank or police?
Hertfordshire Constabulary advises waiting at least five minutes, or using a mobile or a neighbour's phone. Hertfordshire County Council's scams page suggests waiting 15 minutes or using a different phone. Using another phone is the simplest option.
Where can we get a call blocker in Hertfordshire?
Some phones already have call blocking built in, and separate blockers can be bought. Hertfordshire Trading Standards keeps a small stock for vulnerable victims and asks people to get in touch through the county council's scams page.
Hanging up and calling back on a number you trust is always allowed. A short written plan, a phone set up sensibly and a familiar face who visits regularly give a parent the confidence to say exactly that.
Details checked against Hertfordshire Constabulary, Report Fraud (City of London Police), Hertfordshire County Council and Bishop's Stortford Independent pages on 19 October 2026. Our prices are starting rates, checked on the same date.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide what feels right in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.