Police warn West Berks residents of fraudulent phone calls

On Tuesday (21), an elderly lady from Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, and an elderly lady from Lancaster Close, Hungerford, both received calls.
Fortunately they realised that it was a scam before any money could be taken from their accounts.
Police are reiterating their advice about this type of fraud and asking everyone who has elderly or vulnerable family members, friends, or neighbours, to let them know about the scam.
Police have said that the three important things to remember are that your bank and/or the police will never ask for your PIN, your bank will never attend your home to deliver a replacement card or to collect cash and your bank and/or the police will never collect your bank card.
This type of fraud is known as courier fraud or vishing and often targets the elderly and vulnerable.
The victim receives a phone call from fraudsters who say they are from their bank or the police.
They tell the victim that they are calling because there had been suspicious activity on their account and advise them to call the bank from the number on the back of their card, which helps the victim believe the call is genuine.
The victim disconnects the phone and dials their bank or police, however the fraudsters have kept the telephone line open so even though a number is dialled, it is not connected and the victim is still on the phone to the fraudster, who then gains their trust and asks them to either say or key in their pin, before telling them their card will be collected and a replacement delivered.
Once the fraudster has all the information they need, a courier is sent to collect the card from the victim, and a replacement is delivered at the same time, which is not a genuine bank card.
The offender has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
Police advice is that if you receive such a call, end it immediately.
If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website.
In an emergency, dial 999.