Egham residents warned of bank card scam
Published 9 Jan 2012 10:30
FRAUDSTERS have stolen hundreds of pounds from Egham residents.
Surrey Police is warning people in the town about a scam which involves people receiving a call from someone posing to be from their bank who then sends a courier to obtain bank cards.
Three people were targeted on Wednesday, January 4 in Egham. After receiving the call one person contacted their bank and was advised not to hand over their card.
Two other people handed over their cards and sums of £300 and £500 were taken from their accounts.
Detective Constable Richard Warr, of the Cross Border Investigations Team, said: "It is important that everyone is aware of the tactics used by these con-artists so they can make sure their more vulnerable and elderly neighbours, family and friends know what they should do to protect themselves."
The scam works by the victim receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank, the caller checks the victims details including asking for a PIN number and then tells them they need a new bank card.
The victim is then told that a courier will visit them shortly to collect their old card.
Det Con Warr added: "Banks and building societies do not operate in this way and would never request a customer confirm their PIN details over the phone. Anyone who receives a suspicious call, either on the phone or in person, is urged to not give any details to the caller and phone their bank or building society to verify whether the request is genuine."
One of the victims was able to provide a description of the person who came to pick up the card - described as a black man, aged in his late 20s around 5ft 6ins tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a black and blue coloured waterproof jacket and dark trousers.
Contact Surrey Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This article appeared in Villager 09 Jan 12
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