Suspect claims victims' bank cards have been cloned

Police are issuing a warning to residents after number of bogus phone calls resulted in money being stolen from elderly residents.

The victims all received a phone call from a man claiming to be from the local Police station and informing them that their bank cards have been cloned. The caller then informs the victim that an officer will come to their home address to collect their bank card and pin numbers.

A short time after the phone call, the suspect arrives at the victim's address, collects their bank card and takes money out of their account.

Victims have described one of the suspects as a black male, about 5'6" tall wearing a long black leather coat, a leather peaked cap and thin rimmed glasses.

A spokesperson for Hounslow Police said, "If anyone receives such phone call I would ask them not to hand over their bank details to anybody. Police will not ask to take anybody's bank details or the pin numbers."

If any one has any information please contact Hounslow Police Station CID on 0208 247 6160/5940 or anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

March 25, 2010