Police calls will soon come from a new 6000-0999 number to fight impersonation scams

Starting on November 2, Singaporeans will receive police calls using a single, dedicated number: 6000-0999. This exclusive number ensures that only the police can make outbound calls, eliminating the confusion caused by impersonators using similar sounding numbers. The initiative aims to reduce scam incidents where fraudsters pose as police officers to steal money or sensitive data.

Since January 2026, there have been over 3,230 cases of such scams, resulting in losses exceeding $142.5 million. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rudy Dzulkarnaen, deputy director of the police's Service Delivery Department, emphasized the importance of the dedicated number for public awareness. Should the police call go unanswered, the caller will receive an SMS containing the officer's name and contact details for further assistance.

The 6000-0999 number is solely for outgoing calls and will not receive incoming calls. Scammers have been known to impersonate government agencies, particularly the police, to trick victims. To combat this, the government has implemented various safeguards, including blocking overseas calls that spoof Singapore numbers. These measures also extend to online messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, requiring them to implement anti-spoofing measures.

Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines of up to $1 million. The authorities advise the public to report any suspicious calls to the ScamShield helpline or use the online services' reporting features. The government plans to introduce similar measures for other government agencies to enhance the recognizability and verifiability of official communications for the public.