Bogus police

Criminals posing as police officers or gendarmes continue to target householders across France, particularly older people and those living alone. Wearing civilian clothes, flashing fake identification or armbands, and speaking with confidence, these fraudsters rely on the fact that most people instinctively trust someone claiming to be an officer of the law.

Foreign residents can also be particularly vulnerable to this type of scam. Criminals often assume that expatriates, retirees and second-home owners may be unfamiliar with how the French police and gendarmerie operate, or may feel less confident challenging someone claiming to be an official.

The best protection is to stay calm, never feel pressured into acting immediately. Remember that genuine police officers or gendarmes will understand if you wish to verify their identity before letting them into your home. If you have any doubts, keep the door closed and call 17. You can also ask the officers to wait outside while you confirm their identity.

If your French is limited, don’t be embarrassed to say so. Ask the caller to speak slowly, or telephone a French-speaking neighbour or friend before opening the door. A legitimate officer will not object to you taking reasonable precautions.

France’s Ministry of the Interior also advises never to leave an unknown person alone in any room of your home, even if they present official-looking identification, and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the police, a utility company or another organisation before allowing them inside.

These fake police officers will usually flash a card with ‘police’ or ‘gendarmerie’ on it, produced and put away very quickly to avoid scrutiny. He or she will count on law-abiding citizens not questioning a police officer. He or she will be dressed in civilian clothes and wear an arm band with ‘gendarmerie’ on it, easily purchased on the internet!

One  bogus police scam works as follows.
A door to door salesman arrives, and is (hopefully) dispatched quite quicky by you. He is quickly followed by two ‘policemen’ claiming that they have been following him as he is a known house burglar. Whilst one ‘policeman’ takes a statement, after asking the householder to check for stolen items of course, the other is busy relieving him of his valuables.

If you find yourself in a situation like this, you are advised to ring the police (the real ones) immediately, either at your local police station if you have that number, (keep on the fridge) or on 17.

Other police impersonation scams
Bogus police do not always arrive at your door. In some cases, victims receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be a police officer investigating fraud on their bank account or an identity theft case. The caller may ask for bank details, PIN numbers, or even arrange for an “officer” to collect bank cards or valuables. Genuine police officers will never ask for your PIN, request money transfers, or collect your bank card from your home.

How to protect yourself

Whatever the circumstances, if you suspect that you are confronted with a fraud, here is the P-O gendarmerie’s advice:

• Never let anyone that you do not know into your home: genuine door-to-door salespeople, charities and canvassers will not ask to come in and should not be offended if you do not invite them to.
• Tell the person that you have no money on you: do not part with cash or cards in any unofficial circumstances.
• Never sign anything: if you think you could be interested by the offer, take the documentation and tell the person you will return it to them at a later date.
• Report fraud: if you are the victim of fraud, contact the police as soon as possible on 17. If you think you have identified an online  fraud, you can report it via the online platform, PHAROS.