ELDERLY people are being warned of a phone scam involving bogus police officers and bank workers.

Police say the callers try to persuade people to provide bank card details before sending 'couriers' to collect the cards.

Incidents have been reported across Avon and Somerset area, including Burnham and Yeovil.

Fraud investigator Barrie Douglas of Avon and Somerset Police's Serious Crime Group, said: “We're seeing two different types of offence at the moment: one where criminals are posing as Met police officers to persuade victims to withdraw large amounts of cash and hand it over to a 'courier', usually a taxi; and one where they're pretending to be bank fraud officers who need victims' bank card details, including their PINs, and who also send 'couriers' to collect the cards.

“If you're on the receiving end of any of these sorts of phone calls, hang up and report the call to us on 101 but ensure you have a proper dialling tone on your phone or use a different phone.

“Remember, no legitimate caller will ever ask you for banking details or PIN numbers. Likewise, they would never send a so-called 'courier' to collect bank cards or money.”

For more information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z_of_fraud