SHE thought she was helping the police crack fraud.

But a Southampton woman ended up having £100 stolen from her savings when she was targeted in a scam.

Now police are warning others to stay vigilant after getting reports of a spate of similar incidents across Southampton, Eastleigh and the New Forest.

The caller pretended to be from the police and told the 45-year-old woman from Shirley that she had been scammed. He asked for personal information and bank details to help him investigate.

After she gave him her information, including her bank card PIN, a man came to pick up her cards and later withdrew the cash from her account.

Other incidents took place in Shirley and Portswood, in Southampton, Eastleigh and Lyndhurst on Monday, 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: 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 calls to your phone company.

Consider registering your number at tpsonline.org.uk or on 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.