Fraudsters steal hundreds of pounds from elderly Horsham woman

Police say that the 78-year-old woman received a call from people pretending to be from her bank. They told her that someone would attend her address to collect her bank card.

She was given a reference number over the phone before a man arrived to pick up her card. She was also asked for personal information including her PIN number.

A police spokesman said: “After several days, the victim became aware of the scam and reported it to police.

“She had been alerted to it by her bank after large sums of cash were withdrawn from her account in Croydon. The victim lost a total of £840.”

PC Bernadette Lawrie, financial abuse safeguarding officer, said: “Criminals continue to exploit people through this appalling method and we are urging the public to be cautious of unexpected phone calls from people asking for personal information.”

Police say that the average loss to victims in Sussex since August this year has been £8,249 with 76 per cvent of victims aged 75 and over.

Police urge people to act with care if they receive an unsolicited call.

The spokesman added: “The police or your bank will never ask you to withdraw money or hand over your bank cards.

“Never transfer funds into a new account on the instruction of an unexpected caller – even if they tell you that the account is in your name.

“Always check your phone line has properly disconnected before making another call – wait five minutes after the suspicious call before making another.

“Never share your PIN number or enter your PIN into a telephone and never withdraw money and hand it to a courier or anyone who comes to your door.”