POLICE are warning residents in Winchester after scams involving fraudsters claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police obtained bank details and cash using bogus telephone calls and couriers.

There were seven reported incidents in the Winchester area where people aged between 63 and 87 were targeted by someone claiming to be a policeman and attempting to gain their bank and card details or asking them to withdraw cash to assist with police investigations.

They happened on Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30.

A 63-year-old woman was contacted by a man who claimed to be from the Met Serious Crime Squad and said that he was investigating a Winchester bank in relation to counterfeit money.

He asked her to withdraw her money from the bank and to place it in a carrier bag ready for a courier to collect. She withdrew money but became suspicious and did not hand it over.

A 74-year-old woman was told that she had been subjected to a bank fraud and was asked to withdraw £2,000 from her bank by a man claiming to be from the Met.

She was told that her bank was being investigated and she shouldn’t tell anyone or raise suspicion.

A courier arrived to collect the money along with her bank cards which were then used to withdraw further money from her accounts.

The remaining people who were targeted all became suspicious and therefore hung up the phone without giving any personal details.

As part of the courier fraud scam, the potential victims are often told to hang up their phone and call their bank or to call back the police to check the caller’s identity. The original caller does not hang up the phone and is therefore able to speak to the victim again when they think they are calling another number as the line is still connected.

Detective Inspector Sue Orr said: “People across Hampshire have lost large sums of cash as a result of this fraud as often the elderly and vulnerable are targeted.

“We want to warn residents that these requests are not genuine and that no police officer or bank would operate in this manner. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged not to give any details to the caller and report the matter to the police immediately.

“Any courier companies or taxi drivers that may have been asked to pick up such packages in the area are also urged to report this to police.

“If you have elderly relatives, friends or neighbours please make them aware of this scam and remind them not to give any details to unexpected callers. Remain alert and if you see them being approached by unexpected visitors please check who they are and ensure they are a legitimate caller.”

People are reminded to protect themselves using the following advice: • Never give out any personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone.

• If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification number and police force. Hang up the call and advise that you will call them back using the 101 number. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check. Call them back from a different phone if possible or wait at least 10 minutes before making the call. • If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank up to cancel your cards as soon as possible.

• Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere.

• If someone comes to your door claiming to be a police officer or staff member, always ask for identification and make a note of their identification number. Ask them to wait while you verify their identity. Close the door and call 101.

Anyone who is concerned about similar incidents should contact police by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, please call 999.