RESIDENTS have been warned to stay vigilant after an elderly Upton-upon-Severn man was conned out of more than £5,000.
The 96-year-old was targeted as part of a courier fraud scam when a woman called him and claimed to be from Barclays Bank in London.
She asked him if he had received his new bank card, to which he replied no, and then added if he would like to keep the same PIN number which she took from him.
A courier was then sent to his address, in the Ripple area, before the card was used fraudulently and more than £5,000 was withdrawn in two transactions.
The courier was a black woman, aged in her late teens to early 20s, and was wearing a reflective jacket.
Insp Edd Williams said: “This is slightly different to the scams we have seen recently and we would encourage people to be aware of this new tactic the criminals are using.
“We are continually urging people to be vigilant to courier fraud.
“Please remember banks and police officers will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone.
“They also would not come around to your house to collect your cards or property.”
He urged those with elderly residents and friends to talk to them about the scam and said anyone with more information or anyone who received a cal like that to ring the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
