WEST Mercia Police remind the public that police officers and banks will never call you to ask for personal information such as your pin or bank account numbers over the phone.

Fraudsters have been targeting older people in Worcestershire. Usually the phone caller, claiming to be police or the victims bank, will tell the victim that money has been stolen from their bank account. They will ask the victim for personal information and bank details or will ask them to hand over money by bank transfer or will ask them to purchase expensive items.

In February, a man in his 70s in Ronkswood, Worcester was phoned by someone claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police Serious Fraud Squad. The caller said the man's bank card had been stolen and used to buy computer equipment. The caller gave the man a new 'police' phone number to call, and a woman picked up and claimed to be a police officer too. The man felt the questions she asked about his personal and financial details were suspiciously intrusive, so he hung up, waited a while, then called his own bank. His bank verified that no money had been taken from his account.

No legitimate bank/building society, police officer, or business will ever phone you to ask you to give them your card, your PIN, or your cash in the way we've described above.

Police urge that if you receive a suspicious phone call like the one described, hang up. Do not provide any personal details and do not hand money over. Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the police on 101

Detective Inspector Emma Wright oversees ‘Project Prospero’ which is designed to protect the public from telephone scams. They are working with banks and local partners such as care agencies to protect people from the telephone fraud. She said there has been a rise in incidents in January and February.

“These scams are extremely convincing. They use real police job titles and extension numbers and will try to convince victims they have been subject to fraud.”

“It can be difficult for us to catch these criminals as they train victims to keep it a secret from banks and the police. They often use phone numbers and accounts that can’t be traced.”

She added:

“If you receive one of these calls we advise that you hang up and wait 10 minutes to make sure they are not still on the line, then report it.”