Warning About Fraud Scam In The New Forest

Police are warning New Forest residents about a fraud which targets elderly or vulnerable people and persuades them to reveal a PIN and hand over their debit or credit cards.

The warning comes after attempts to trick three elderly residents in the last two weeks.

Each of the people received phone calls purporting to come from their banks. They were told their bank or credit cards had expired and that a courier would collect their old card and provide a new one.

Within a few days, a man attended their homes and collected the cards, exchanging them for new cards which were fake. The victims were persuaded to reveal the PINs for the allegedly expired cards.

A Fawley woman, 91, was told by her bank that £4,000 had been taken from her account. A Milford on Sea man, 90, was told that several attempts had been made to withdraw cash with the credit card he gave to the courier.

An elderly Boldre woman revealed her PIN, but called her bank who said they had not called her. The bank cancelled her card, and she did not lose any money.

Lyndhurst Detective Sergeant Matt Taylor today urged all New Forest residents to be alert to this deception.

"If people receive calls from their banks, there will be a series of security questions that usually would be asked, but, in no circumstances would the banks ask for a PIN or send a courier to collect cards.

"If there is any doubt that the call really is from a bank, do not disclose any details. If it is suggested that a courier will be sent to collect old bank cards, please notify your bank branch and the police immediately," Det Sgt Taylor said.