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What to do if…
you receive a call asking you to store property for someone in custody

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not agree to store anything, pay anything, or share personal details on the call. End the call and verify it yourself through 101 or the prison’s official published contact route, not through a number or link the caller gives you.

Do not do these things

  • Do not hand over money, bank details, one-time codes, or copies or photos of your ID to “release property” or “avoid trouble”.
  • Do not meet a courier or stranger to collect, store, or drop off items.
  • Do not rely on caller ID, because numbers can be made to look official.
  • Do not let the caller rush you into a decision right now.
  • Do not accept sealed bags, valuables, documents, phones, or unknown packages unless you have independently confirmed the official process.
  • Do not share extra personal details about yourself or the person in custody until you have verified the contact through an official route.

What to do now

  1. End the call calmly. Say: “I can’t confirm anything on this call. I’ll contact the custody or prison service directly.” Then hang up.
  2. Write down what was said. Note the time, the number shown, the caller’s claimed name and role, the person’s name, the place they said the person was held, and any reference, custody, or prisoner number mentioned.
  3. Verify police custody through a route you start. Call 101 and ask how to verify whether the request is genuine and what the official property process is. Do not use a number, link, or transfer offered by the caller.
  4. Verify prison contact through an official route. If the caller named a prison, use the official prison service or prison contact page for the part of the UK named, then ask what the local property release or collection process is. Procedures can vary, so ask what authorisation, identification, and appointment process is normally required.
  5. Check whether the request matches the official process. Ask the official contact: “Does this request match your property process?” If it does not match, stop engaging with the caller.
  6. Treat money, threats, or urgency as high-risk. Do not pay a release fee, courier fee, deposit, fine, or “safe account” transfer. Do not buy vouchers or send codes. If you shared bank details, sent money, or gave card information, contact your bank immediately using the number on your bank card or in your banking app.
  7. If someone comes to your door, do not take the items. Keep the door closed, speak through the door if needed, and say you are verifying directly. If you feel threatened, pressured, or unsafe, call 999.
  8. Report the suspicious contact. Use the official Report Fraud route and follow its location guidance. If the crime is happening now, or you are unsure where it fits, contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether you will store anything.
  • You do not need to argue with the caller, prove who you are, or explain your decision.
  • You do not need to travel, sign anything, receive a package, or arrange collection until you have confirmed the official process yourself.

Important reassurance

Feeling unsure is a useful warning sign here. Genuine custody and prison property processes are usually checkable through official routes, and taking time to verify is normal.

Scope note

These are first steps to help you avoid a scam, unsafe handover, or serious mix-up. If the request turns out to be genuine, later decisions may need help from the police, the prison, a solicitor, or another specialist service.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, security, or professional advice. Procedures can vary by police force, prison, location, and case, so use official routes and ask what applies before doing anything with property or money.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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