1. Elderly women in Sweden got calls from “police” about burglaries nearby. What did the callers want?
Answer: To collect their jewellery, “to photograph it”. In 2025 a fake officer came to the door to take the jewellery, and sometimes bank cards too. Three people were convicted (Swedish Police, Region West).
2. The real police ask you to hand over valuables or bank cards at home:
Answer: Never. No real police force collects jewellery, cash or bank cards from you at home.
3. In Singapore in 2025, which scam caused the second-largest losses?
Answer: Government official impersonation. Singapore Police ranked fake officials second by losses, after investment scams.
4. A company offers to settle your tax debt and says it works with the tax office. In 2025 the FTC shut one down. Why?
Answer: It falsely claimed government ties and took advance fees. American Tax Service allegedly impersonated the IRS and took fees without solving anything (FTC and Nevada).
5. Criminals sent “emergency data requests” to tech companies from real police email accounts. How?
Answer: The police mailboxes had been hacked. The FBI warned in 2024 that stolen police and government email credentials were being sold and used for fake urgent requests.
6. A “bank fraud team” calls a city treasurer, names a real vendor and recent activity. What happened in Roswell, New Mexico?
Answer: The city lost about USD 375k. Details make a caller sound real. The treasurer was talked into sharing login credentials, and two transfers followed (city auditor, 2026).
7. The caller says you’ll be arrested today unless you pay a fine. This is:
Answer: Pressure — real authorities don’t work this way. Threats of arrest, fines or account closure are among the most common signals. Official processes give you time and paperwork.
8. A loan servicer says it’s “affiliated with the Department of Education.” The FTC found one that wasn’t. What did it charge?
Answer: Illegal upfront fees for help that was free. Superior Servicing allegedly took millions from student-loan borrowers with advance fees (FTC, 2024).
9. The caller ID shows the real police or bank number. Can you trust it?
Answer: No — caller ID can be spoofed. Call centres make calls appear local or official. Hang up and call the official number yourself.
10. Best response to any official who demands urgent action:
Answer: Hang up and contact the agency through its official number. A badge number from the scammer proves nothing. Contacting the agency directly does.