Warning as fraudsters target 80-year-old in Radford Semele

A man posing as a police officer from the Metropolitan Police called the woman on Saturday (June 14) at around 7pm and told her that her bank cards had been skimmed and two people were in custody as a result.

The victim called what she believed to be her bank, but as the offender had not hung up, her call went straight back to his number and he asked for her PIN and said he would send someone round to collect the cards.

About an hour later, a man did arrive to collect the cards, but the woman became suspicious and called a neighbour for advice. She then called her bank and cancelled her cards before any money was lost.

Two more people in the Leamington area were targeted on Saturday night with similar stories, but both were aware of the scam and hung up on the offender.

Police officers are warning people in the area to be wary of attempts to defraud them in this manner. A spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police said: “Banks and police officers will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone and would not come round to the house to collect your cards or property.

“If you do get such a call, hang up immediately and dial 999, using another phone.”

She said that anyone who has been taken in by this scam should cancel their cards immediately and call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org