A CAMPAIGN has been launched to tackle an increase in scam telephone calls to elderly and vulnerable people in the West Mercia area, with nine such incidents in Worcester alone in the past week.

West Mercia Police have received an increase in the amount of reports of calls attempting to get people to reveal their bank details.

The callers claim the victim’s bank details have been compromised and ask them to call their bank using a specific telephone number.

The confused victim, not realising the offender is still on the line, then dials the number and gives them their account details including PIN.

In some incidents the callers have claimed to be officers with the Metropolitan Police Service and in others they have sent round couriers to collect bank guards for ‘safe keeping’ before using them to withdraw cash.

West Mercia and Warwickshire Police are distributing posters across the two policing areas and officers are speaking to those who may be at risk.

Police are reminding people that neither banks nor police officers will ask for account details or PINs over the phone or come around to collect cards and if callers do so they should hang up immediately and call 999 using another phone.

Anyone who has been taken in by the scam or knows someone who has should call police on 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org