Guide To Identifying A Police Scotland Officer

How to check an officer's identity

If Police Scotland contacts you, they will do so in person, by phone or by email. This will depend on the circumstances surrounding why we need to contact you.

Contact in person

If one of our officers contacts you in person, they'll show you their police warrant card. This is proof of their identity and authority and you can verify this by dialling 101.

Contact by phone and Email

If one of our officers needs to speak to you on the phone or by email, they'll identify themselves clearly.

They will never:

• ask you for your bank details or PIN
• ask you to transfer funds to another account
• ask you to hand over cash or bank cards to a courier
• ask you to pay a fine or a fee to them or a third party over the phone or online
• ask you for remote access to your computer, passwords or log on details over the phone or online
• ask you to register personal details in an attachment they send or website they direct towards
• ask you to 'assist' in an investigation by doing any of the above
• communicate in an abusive, threatening or coercive manner
• ask you to click on a hyperlink to participate in an investigation

Remember if you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity. You should also contact 101 if you think you've been a victim of fraud.

Follow the link below for a video with more information on identity fraud: https://vimeo.com/547456268

Original message sent by: Lynn Black (Police, Constable, National Rural Crime Scotland)