Singapore police to roll out unified caller ID to combat scam impersonation

Singapore Police Force will begin using a standardized caller ID starting November 2 as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem of scam impersonation in the city-state. The unified number 6000 0999 will be the sole caller ID used for all police communications to the public, allowing residents to more easily verify the authenticity of incoming calls.

To further enhance security and reduce confusion, all police calls will be accompanied by a follow-up SMS message from the official "gov.sg" SMS Sender ID. This dual-verification approach aims to help residents distinguish legitimate government communications from fraudulent calls made by scammers impersonating law enforcement.

The move addresses rising public concern over phone scams, where criminals pose as police or government officials to deceive victims into transferring money or disclosing personal information. By establishing a single, recognizable contact number and official messaging channel, authorities hope to reduce successful fraud attempts and build public confidence in distinguishing genuine police communications.

Residents are advised to note the caller ID and be alert to any calls claiming to be from police that do not follow this new protocol. The initiative represents part of a broader effort by Singapore's authorities to combat scam-related crimes through technology and public awareness campaigns.