Police are sending out a warning to the public about scam phone calls from police impersonators. 

Southern Districts Operations manager, Inspector Matt Scoles, is urging people across the wider district to be alert to the scam, after reports in other districts have emerged about people receiving scam phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer.

The "officer" will claim to be from a particular department, say the target has been a victim of fraud or a scam, and try and obtain further financial information from them, he says.

People have then been directed to go to the bank and withdraw money for evidence of the supposed scam.

This itself is a scam – no legitimate police officer will ever ask for money, for any reason.

Insp. Scoles says to establish if an officer who makes contact is genuine, ask for their full details, hang up, contact 105 and request somebody to check for you.

Older members of the community are particularly being targeted and police urge anyone with older, vulnerable relatives or friends to make them aware of the risk.

Since early August, police have had several instances of this being reported, with arrests made in Auckland and Wellington, and three people before the courts.

One of these, a 26-year-old UK national, has since been convicted of cheating victims out of more than $330,000.

People need to be vigilant because inquiries into reports of such scams are ongoing.

New Zealand Police will also never contact people and ask for their bank details, card numbers, Pins, or passwords, Insp Scoles says.

There are instances where legitimate police officers will make contact as part of their duties, but they will never ask you to withdraw money.

He urges people to trust their instincts, and if something feels wrong, or feels too good to be true, it probably is.

If somebody is a victim of a scam, they are encouraged to contact police.

For further information and tips to avoid scammers, visit Netsafe