Via the Police, we have been made aware of a banking telephone scam targeting the elderly and vulnerable in the Holbrooks area of the City.

If you know someone who is elderly or vulnerable who may not have access to this warning, please ensure they know how to spot this type of fraud.

How it works

A fraudster rings the victim, claiming to be from their bank or the police, saying a fraudulent payment has been spotted on their card and this needs resolving, or that someone has been arrested using their details.

The victim may be asked to ring back using the phone number on the back of their card. This further convinces the victim that the call is genuine. However, the caller keeps the line open at their end so, when the call back is made, the victim is unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster or their friends.

They will ask for the PIN number or sometimes ask for it to be keyed it into the phone’s handset.

You should never give your PIN to anyone in any way!

The scammer then sends a courier or taxi to pick up the card from the victims home. It is possible the driver does not know they are being used as part of the scam.

Once they have the card and PIN the scammer can then spend the victims money. In some cases the crooks use the victim’s information to commit identity fraud.

How to protect yourself

• Your bank will never send a courier to your home.
• Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card.
• Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN.
• If you receive one of these calls end it immediately.
• Your debit or credit card is yours – don’t let a stranger take it off you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should destroy it yourself.

 Victim Advice

• Report this to Action Fraud online or by phone on on 0300 123 2040.
• If you have handed over any details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately.
• If you want to call your bank, then do it from another telephone or wait at least ten minutes before using your phone again. If possible, source an alternative contact number for your bank.

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