What to Do If You Get a Scam Call from “Police” or “Bank” Numbers 

Introduction

Receiving a call that appears to come from the police or a bank is unsettling, especially when the caller sounds official and uses urgent, threatening language. These impersonation scams are among the most sophisticated frauds in Singapore today. Scammers frequently spoof numbers, including those of local institutions such as the Singapore Police Force, DBS, OCBC and UOB, to convince victims they are speaking to real officers or bank representatives. By creating fear and urgency, they pressure individuals into transferring money, revealing personal details, or even installing malicious software.

This guide explains how such scams work, how to recognise the red flags, what to do both during and after the call, and which authorities and hotlines you should contact in Singapore. It also covers how to protect elderly relatives, what recovery is possible if funds are lost, and the steps you can take to reduce your risk in future.

How These Scam Calls Work

Fraudsters pretending to be from the police or banks rely heavily on manipulation. In so-called fake police calls, they may claim to represent the Commercial Affairs Department or another enforcement division, telling victims they are linked to criminal cases. In a typical bank scam, the caller poses as a DBS, UOB or OCBC staff member, insisting that an account is under investigation or that suspicious transactions have occurred.

The caller often uses number spoofing so the incoming call looks genuine. They may already know personal details obtained from leaks or public sources, which makes them sound more believable. Once they gain trust, they usually demand urgent money transfers to a so-called “safe account”, pressure the victim to reveal one-time passwords or PINs, or instruct them to download remote-access apps. Each of these tactics is designed to give the scammer direct access to your money.

Red Flags to Recognise

- High pressure and a strict deadline to avoid punishment.

- Requests for immediate money transfers to unfamiliar accounts.

- Demands to reveal OTPs, bank PINs, or to turn over banking tokens.

- Encouragement to install screen-sharing or remote-control apps.

- Requests to hand over your NRIC number, passport details, or full bank credentials by phone.

- The caller insists everything is confidential and warns you not to tell anyone, including family or the real bank.

- Multiple calls from different “departments” or “officers” insisting the same story.

What to Do During the Call - stay calm and take control

1. Do not panic. Scammers rely on panic to make victims act without thinking. Take a deep breath. 
2. Do not give any personal or banking information. Never reveal OTPs, PINs, full online banking passwords, or security tokens. No legitimate bank or police officer will ask for these. 
3. Do not transfer money, buy prepaid cards, or send cryptocurrency. Banks and law enforcement never ask for payments via transfers to personal accounts, e-wallets, or cash card purchases. 
4. Ask for verifiable details. If the caller claims to be from a bank, ask for the officer’s name, ID number, the branch, and a callback number you can verify via the bank’s official website or hotline. For police calls, ask for the officer’s name, rank, division, and a station number. Scammers usually become evasive or hostile. 
5. End the call and call back through official channels. Hang up and use the bank’s number from their official website, the back of your bank card, or the Singapore Police Force (SPF) hotline to verify the call. Do not use any phone numbers provided by the caller.
6. Do not install any software or follow instructions to change device settings. If the caller asks you to download apps or give remote access, hang up immediately.

Immediate Actions After a Suspected Scam Call

If you have shared any banking details or transferred money, contact your bank’s fraud hotline straight away. Fast action increases the chance that fraudulent transfers can be frozen or reversed. At the same time, change your online banking and related account passwords, enable stronger two-factor authentication if possible, and ensure your devices are secure. If you installed any suspicious app during the call, disconnect from the internet and seek technical support to remove it.

Keep a clear record of the incident. Note the caller’s number, the name and organisation they claimed to represent, the time and date of the call, and what information you gave. Save any call logs, messages or screenshots. These details will be vital when filing a police report.

Where and How to Report in Singapore

Victims of impersonation scams should file a report with the Singapore Police Force, either online or at their nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre.

 Reporting to your bank is equally critical, as they can freeze accounts and monitor for suspicious transactions.

The ScamShield app, developed by GovTech, can also help by blocking known scam numbers and filtering fraudulent SMS messages. 

Can Lost Funds Be Recovered?

Recovery depends largely on speed. If transfers were made to local bank accounts and reported immediately, there is a fair chance the money can be frozen before it is withdrawn. Transfers to overseas accounts, cryptocurrencies or cash withdrawals are significantly harder to trace. For this reason, contacting both the police and your bank immediately is essential. Always provide transaction records, reference numbers and screenshots to support your case.

Protecting Elderly Family Members from Scams

Elderly Singaporeans are often targeted because they may not be as familiar with digital banking or scam tactics. If a relative receives a suspicious call, reassure them rather than scolding, as shame often prevents victims from speaking up. Encourage them to keep call logs, never make transfers without verifying, and use family code words to confirm urgent financial requests. Consider installing call-blocking apps such as ScamShield on their devices and accompany them to the police if they have already lost money. Additionally, reading up to stay updated on scam news and prevention guide is also essential in safeguarding you and your family against scam.

Prevention: Reducing Your Risk of Falling for Scams

Treat all unsolicited calls with caution, even if the number looks genuine. Banks and police officers will never ask for your OTPs, full passwords, or transfers to external accounts. Always call back using official numbers — for banks, this means the hotlines published on their websites or your bank card, and for the police, it means 999 or their verified online services.

Installing ScamShield and enabling call-blocking tools can reduce your exposure, while setting up transaction alerts ensures you know instantly when money leaves your account. Talking openly with family, especially elderly relatives, is another important line of defence. Keep your devices up to date, avoid unknown apps, and use unique, strong passwords for each service.

Examples of Common Scam Scripts

If you hear phrases such as “Your DBS account has been compromised, transfer money to a safe account immediately” or “You are under investigation by the police for money laundering, do not tell anyone else”, you are dealing with a scam.

Likewise, any request for your OTP in order to process a refund, or instructions to install a remote access app to verify your details, are fraudulent tactics. The correct response is to hang up and verify directly through the DBS hotline, OCBC hotline, UOB hotline, or with the police.

If You Already Lost Money to the Scam Call

Do not delay. File police report straight away and inform your bank with the report number. Keep every piece of evidence — from call records to screenshots. While recovery is not guaranteed, the faster you act, the better the chances that funds can be frozen. For overseas transfers or cryptocurrency payments, recovery is more difficult, but reporting still helps the authorities trace patterns and potentially protect future victims.

Scams can be emotionally draining as well as financially damaging. Do not hesitate to seek support from family or professional hotlines.

Conclusion: Preparedness Is Your Best Defence Against Scams

Bank scams, fake police calls and impersonation scams are evolving in Singapore, but awareness is your best protection. Remember: do not share OTPs, PINs or passwords; hang up immediately if asked to transfer money or install apps; always verify using official hotlines; and report the incident promptly.

Preparedness reduces panic, and timely reporting increases the chances of both protecting your accounts and recovering lost funds. By staying alert and continuing to equip yourself with scam prevention resources on Scam.SG, you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones from these increasingly sophisticated frauds.

Stay smart, stay safe and stay vigilant with Scam.SG.