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What to do if…
you receive a voicemail from someone claiming to be police about an incident

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

Short answer

Do not call the voicemail number back. Save the message, then verify independently through 101 or your local police force’s official contact route.

Do not do these things

  • Do not ring back the number the voicemail came from, or click any link it mentions.
  • Do not share your date of birth, address, National Insurance number, bank details, passwords, or phone passcode on an inbound call.
  • Do not pay money, transfer funds, buy gift cards, use crypto, or hand cash, cards, or valuables to a courier.
  • Do not rush to a police station just because the message sounds urgent or embarrassing.
  • Do not delete the voicemail, call log, texts, emails, screenshots, or phone transcript.
  • Do not discuss what happened with the caller until you have verified who they are.

What to do now

  1. Pause before responding. A vague police “incident” voicemail can be routine, mistaken, or a scam tactic. Your first job is to verify it through a trusted route.
  2. Preserve the message. Save the voicemail. Screenshot the number, date, time, transcript, and any linked texts or emails.
  3. Check immediate danger first. If someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is happening now, call 999.
  4. Verify independently. If it is not an emergency, call 101 or use your local police force’s official website. Say: “I received a voicemail claiming police are trying to reach me about an incident. Can you check whether this is genuine and tell me the safe next step?”
  5. Ask for details through the official route. If police confirm the contact may be genuine, write down the officer or staff member’s name, collar or warrant number if available, station or unit, incident or reference number, and an official switchboard or call-back route.
  6. If the caller asks for money, bank details, passwords, remote access, or courier handover, stop. End contact with that caller or number. Do not continue explaining yourself to them.
  7. If it appears to be fraud or cyber crime, report it through the right route. In England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud online or by phone. In Scotland, report it to Police Scotland, usually through 101, and follow their advice.
  8. If the contact is genuine and they want you to attend or “have a chat”, slow it down. Ask: “Am I being asked to attend voluntarily, or am I required to?” Ask what the contact is about and how to arrange it through official police contact details.
  9. If you are arrested, detained, or asked to answer questions under caution, ask for legal advice before answering questions. Say clearly: “I want a solicitor before any interview or questions.” The rules differ across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, but asking for a solicitor is a safe first step.

What can wait

  • You do not need to explain the incident, clear anything up, or give a detailed statement right now.
  • You do not need to decide whether you are a witness, suspect, complainant, or mistaken contact before the voicemail has been verified.
  • You do not need to hand over documents, phone access, passwords, passcodes, or financial details because of a voicemail.
  • You do not need to decide tonight whether to attend an interview or meeting unless police tell you through an official route that there is a lawful requirement.

Important reassurance

It is normal to feel a jolt of fear when a voicemail mentions police and an incident. Verification through an official route is a steady next step that protects you whether the message is genuine, mistaken, or fraudulent.

Scope note

These are first steps only: reduce panic, preserve the message, avoid scam contact, and avoid walking into an interview or phone discussion unprepared. If the police contact is genuine, later decisions may need specialist legal help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

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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