HAMPSHIRE residents are being warned over a new bank card scam after a spate of attempted thefts.

It comes after a Southampton woman had £100 stolen after being conned by a caller pretending to be from the police.

The caller claimed the 45-year-old woman, from Shirley, had been a victim of fraud and asked for personal information including bank details.

She gave him her information, including typing her PIN in the keypad, and shortly afterwards a man came to pick up the cards, later withdrawing cash from her account.

Other incidents took place in Shirley and Portswood in Southampton, Eastleigh and Lyndhurst in the New Forest, but in each case the victims became suspicious and refused to give out details without proof, leading to the caller hanging up.

Police advise hanging up if a caller asks for bank details, taking note of the caller's number and reporting it.

They also recommend asking for the name and collar number of anyone claiming they are from the police and then checking it by calling 101.

General advice on phone scams includes: (blob) Never accept offers over the phone “if they sound too good to be true, they usually are”.

• Never give personal details over the phone.

• Report any suspicious phone calls to your phone company.

• Consider registering your number with Telephone Preference Service (TPS Online) or 0845 070 0707.

• Most telephone providers will block anonymous callers.

• Never give your credit or bank card PIN over the phone. This information is never requested legitimately by your bank or the police.

• If you think something is wrong, hang up the phone.

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