POLICE have today issued a telephone scam warning after a fraudster claiming to be a Met police officer tricked a Somerset pensioner out of £20,000.

A police spokesman said: “We are issuing advice across the force to raise awareness of these scams.

 “Known as courier fraud, an individual claiming to be a London based police officer informs the victim they have arrested someone who was in possession of bank cards containing details of the victim.   

 “The victim is asked to call the bogus officer and is given a false collar number and telephone number which helps reassure the victim.

“However, the fraudster does not replace his phone. The unsuspecting victim dials but is still connected to the original caller but under the impression they have reached a genuine police officer.

“The fraudster encourages the victim to provide bank details and may also be asked to withdraw cash to send to London by taxi or a courier, or by electronic transfer of large amounts to a fraudulent bank account.

“They often claim the money is potential evidence for an investigation and that it is needed so it can be forensically examined.

 Neighbourhood Sergeant Justin French said: “I want to issue a heartfelt appeal to the elderly not to provide personal details to anyone over the telephone.

“These callers can be very persuasive and often have elaborate stories.

“We would ask families to help us by making their elderly relatives aware of this scam. Taxi drivers need to be alert to couriering packages to London on behalf of elderly people and report anything suspicious to us.

“Our officers will be informing Neighbourhood Watch teams about these calls so they can raise awareness across their community. We also have our PCSOs visiting sheltered accommodation to ensure safety advice reaches residents.”

There are variations on this scam but police say the advice remains the same.

Remember the following to help you avoid the pitfalls of bogus callers – neither your bank nor the police will ever ask you to:

  • email or text personal or banking information
  • send an email with a link to a page which asks you to enter your online banking log-in details
  • tell them your PIN

And neither your bank or the police will ever:

  • send a courier to your home
  • collect your bank card

Police say if you receive a suspicious call, end it immediately. Wait until you hear a dialling tone, or use a different phone to call the police.

Anyone who has been contacted by suspected fraudsters should call police on 101 or Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, on 0300-1232040.