Warning over telephone scam after incident in Leamington

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are urging people to beware of a telephone scam which involves a cold caller pretending to be a police officer and then urging them to hand their bank card over to a courier.

There have been three incidents of a similar nature across the Alliance area in the past 24 hours – two in Worcestershire and one in Warwickshire.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: “Police officers, and indeed banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone, and would not come around to your house to collect your cards or property.

“Not all of these incidents resulted in people handing over the cards. This is exactly the right response. If you are suspicious it is absolutely correct to refuse to provide your card or any of your bank details.

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

“We are exploring any potential links between incidents. One avenue that we are looking at is that some of the incidents in recent weeks appear to be targeted at people with the surname of Smith.

“We would urge anyone with that name, of any spelling, to be especially vigilant.”

Two people have been arrested in relation to the incident in Warwickshire.

ENDS

Notes To Editors:

Details in relation to the last three incidents

Leamington Spa,Warwickshire:

Incident number 378 of 25/7/14

Occurred on Friday 25th July shortly before 6.30pm.

The card was not handed over. Two men, aged 28 and 30, have been arrested in connection with the incident.