SCAMMERS have been impersonating staff from Crimestoppers to try and get hold of people’s bank details.

The crime prevention charity is warning that a group is calling people saying they are “Crimestoppers at the Home Office”.

The number that comes up on the recipient’s mobile phone is the genuine Crimestoppers number, giving the false impression they are in safe hands.

Crimestoppers is reminding people they have never and will never make cold calls to members of the public asking for any personal details.

If you receive a call asking for personal information and claiming to be from Crimestoppers, please report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, said: “We are currently talking to our phone service provider to attempt to resolve the situation over the false display of our telephone number and hope this can be rectified as quickly as possible.

“I would emphasise that it is business as normal for the charity and people can still contact us on 0800 555 111 to pass on anonymous information about crime, but we wanted to make sure people were aware that we will never, ever contact them asking for personal details, so please do not hand any over if you are contacted by someone claiming to be Crimestoppers.”