Did I do the right thing? (Lied to the police)

DaisyMaee

Hiya

Just after a bit of advice really and not too sure where to ask this question, so sorry if it is in the wrong place.

Basically, in early feb I came home to find a piece of paper posted through my door, which looked like it had been printed off the Internet. It had my local police departments logo on it, a little section saying 'an appointment is needed' but this was crossed out, and underneath a handwritten note saying 'please call me' with a phone number, signed by a detective constable. Naturally, I was confused. I googled the number and there was no results, but when I googled the detectives name several local articles came up so I went ahead and called the number. We have been getting trouble from the local kids who chucked flour over the car and scratched it so I wondered if it was about that.

It was quite a friendly sounding woman who straight away told me that it was nothing to worry about and that it wasn't my name that she had. However, she refused to tell me what it was about, instead trying to gleam information from me such as my age, if I worked, if I went to college, who lived here and so on. She then said that she wanted to come to my house to talk to me and show me something, which obviously concerned me. As she had already told me that the thing that she was investigating happened four years ago, I stupidly lied and said that we had only lived here for two, which I wish I hadn't done but as a young woman who has anxiety and social issues I really didn't want some random person in my home asking me questions about something I knew noting about.

Now I feel like I have committed a crime by lieing to the police - if it really was the police. My mum agreed that it sounded really dodgy and not to worry but seeing as my depression and anxiety have been bad for the past few years (due to personal reasons) it has really worried me and now I am scared that I will go to prison for perverting the course of justice or something.

I was considering going to the police station and explaining, and if it is scam they will be made aware and if it is real then I will know what the heck is going on. However, I'm worried that this will make me look guilty or incriminate me, or re-open a case that has probably been closed. I really do not know what to do. This all happened almost five months ago now, and I think if it was the police they'd have checked on their records or tax records how long I had lived here and been back.

Before anyone tries to call me a troll I am genuine, and I need advice or at least some opinions on if I did something wrong and if I am likely to be in trouble for lying. I am unsure if the police would be understanding..

Thank you for your help and sorry for the long post!

marisco_2

This is not how the police operate at all. You were undoubtedly approached by a scammer and wisely threw them off track. Forget about it and don't contact, or give any information about yourself, to anyone who tries this kind of trick on with you again.

19lottie82

Marisco, it sounds reasonable to me?

Police often leave a calling card if no one is home. They are also unlikely to go in to details re an investigation over the phone, they prefer to talk face to face.

Of course, [EMAIL="I@m"]I'm[/EMAIL] not saying it definitely was the police, but I don't think you can say it definitely wasn't.

Back to the OP, I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's done now, so don't stress. I'm sure they have better things to worry about.

SavingPennies_2

Sounds very dodgy to me, I cant imagine the real police would act so unprofessionally. If it's really worrying you go to your local station for a chat, I can't see how youd be in trouble if anything it should put your mind at rest.

newcook

Next time you are out and about pop into your local police station and explain to them what happened – if it’s a scam they will be able to deal with it (and also be able to warn other local residents to be on their guard).

I think if it was genuine or something urgent they would have already had all the information on you such as how long you’ve been living there etc or would have had the means to look this up and re-contact you.

Personally, I wouldn’t let it worry you but as its obviously playing on your mind and is adding to your anxiety I’d go to the station. I wouldn’t even go into detail about it to them, just ‘I had this letter with a phone number but I don’t think its genuine – what are your thoughts mr policeman?’

19lottie82

SavingPennies wrote: »

Sounds very dodgy to me, I cant imagine the real police would act so unprofessionally. If it's really worrying you go to your local station for a chat, I can't see how youd be in trouble if anything it should put your mind at rest.

What's unprofessional about it? Leaving a calling card, and trying to establish a few details before making an appointment for a further discussion?

Sounds normal to me.

toshkininny

not quite sure why you'd wait 5 months to ask this question though?

Tiddlywinks

Call the local rate number for your local force - ask for the Officer by name - get the switchboard to put you through and then you will be sure you are speaking to the named person.

Then you can explain your reluctance to talk in the last call because you were unsure who you were speaking to... And take it from there.

Vaguely remembered this old thread so went off and found it... It might save a lot of extra posts:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4496617

VitaK

Have a look for another number to your local police department and see what they say.

peachyprice

If this is still worrying you 5 months later you really need to get it sorted for your own peace of mind.

What's worrying you more, the fact it may have been a scam or the fact that you may have lied to the police?

If you still have the name of the officer call into the station and ask to speak to him, tell him it's troubling you that you've been a victim of a scam and it's still troubling you. Or if it's they lying that's bothering you tell him you were having an off day and made a mistake in the amount of time you've lived there.

But do it, otherwise it will be troubling you forever more.

go_cat

I don't think you have lied to the police, you have been vague with a random person at the end of a random phone number.

Anyone would have done the same. Never give out personal details over the phone...you absolutely did the right thing

Edit ..also they knew where you lived as put card through your door so why didn't they visit again if it was real