Sussex Police warn of scam calls posing as their Cyber Crime Unit

What happened

According to Sussex News, Sussex Police have warned residents about phone calls from people claiming to be from the force's Cyber Crime Unit. The report says the callers are trying to obtain passwords and other sensitive details.

The report also says the caller ID may display a genuine police number. This is why such calls can feel convincing: the number on the screen looks official. Police say scammers may also change the name of the unit they claim to represent, so the exact title used is not a reliable clue.

The police said they will never ask for passwords, bank details or PINs by phone. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is asked to report it online or by calling 101.

This summary is based on a short account of the report, so it covers only the main points of the warning.

Warning signs

• A caller says they are from the police, or from a named police unit, and you did not expect the call.
• You are asked for passwords, bank details or a PIN over the phone.
• The number on your screen looks like a real police number, and the caller treats that as proof.
• The unit or team name changes from one call to the next, or sounds official but unfamiliar.

What families can do

• Remember that caller ID can be faked, so a genuine-looking number does not prove who is calling.
• Never share passwords, bank details or PINs with a caller, whoever they say they are. Sussex Police say they will not ask for them by phone.
• If you are unsure, end the call and contact the force yourself using a number you have looked up, such as 101.
• Talk it over with a family member before acting on any unexpected call, and tell older relatives that being cautious is sensible, not rude.
• Report suspicious calls online or via 101, as the police ask.

For households that want fewer unexpected calls reaching them, QuietGuard lets only the contacts you name ring, while other calls stay silent and are logged in a quiet log you can check later. It does not judge whether a call is genuine, so the advice above still applies, and it is no replacement for talking to family or contacting the police or your bank.