PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Legal, police, prison & official contact officer wants to meet me • police identity verification request • verify my identity meeting • someone claims to be police • police impersonation scam • fake officer phone call • fake officer text message • fake officer email • asked to bring id documents • asked to meet at a location • asked to confirm personal details • suspicious warrant card claim • collar number check • is this a real officer • “verify your identity” scam • government official impersonation • law enforcement impersonator • pressured to meet today • threatened with arrest on call

What to do if…
someone claiming to be an officer asks you to meet them to “verify your identity” and you feel unsure

Short answer

Pause and don’t agree to meet or share any details. Independently contact the police via 101 to check whether the contact and any proposed appointment are genuine.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t go to a meeting location “to be safe” if you haven’t verified it through an official channel.
  • Don’t call back or message the number they gave you (it can be spoofed).
  • Don’t share photos of your passport/driving licence, bank cards, or a “selfie with ID”.
  • Don’t confirm personal details (address, date of birth, NI number, banking) just because they already know some of them.
  • Don’t comply with pressure like “you must do this today” or “you’ll be arrested if you don’t attend”.
  • Don’t hand over cash, cards, or devices to anyone, including a “courier”.

What to do now

  1. Stop the conversation. Say: “I can’t continue right now. I’ll verify this via 101.” Then end the call / stop replying.
  2. Collect only non-sensitive identifiers. If you can do so calmly, ask for: full name, rank, collar number, force, and station/unit (or any reference number). Write it down. Do not provide your own details in return.
  3. Verify independently via 101. Call 101 and explain you’ve been contacted by someone claiming to be an officer asking you to meet to “verify your identity”. Ask the operator to confirm whether the contact is genuine and, if relevant, to verify the officer’s details or route you to the correct station/desk.
    • If you feel in immediate danger right now, call 999 instead.
  4. If they want an in-person meeting, only agree through the station. Ask for it to be arranged via the station front desk / force switchboard, with a clear public location (for example, a police station public enquiry counter), not a random address.
  5. If anyone shows up at your door claiming to be police: keep the door closed. Ask them to show their warrant card through a window/letterbox. Tell them you will call 101 to verify before opening the door.
  6. If you shared information or think it was a scam, report it.
    • England, Wales, Northern Ireland: report cyber crime/fraud to Report Fraud (online or by phone).
    • Scotland: report to Police Scotland via 101.
    • If any money moved or bank details were shared, contact your bank immediately.
  7. If they claim to be from a different official body (not police): don’t use their contact details. Find that organisation’s official contact route yourself and ask for identity verification before you agree to meet or share information.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide today whether to attend an interview, meet someone, or hand over documents.
  • You don’t need to prove your identity to a stranger to “clear your name” in the moment.
  • You don’t need to explain your whole situation on the spot—verification comes first.

Important reassurance

Feeling unsure is a useful warning sign. Impersonators often sound confident and may use real names or partial personal details to create urgency—pausing to verify is a sensible, protective step.

Scope note

These are first steps to prevent harm and buy time. If the contact turns out to be genuine, you can arrange a properly documented appointment through official channels and take advice before providing anything.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you feel threatened or unsafe, prioritise immediate safety and contact emergency services.

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