AN ELDERLY couple have lost more than £25,000 in a suspected fraud.

The Shirley pair, aged in their 90s, were scammed out of the money earlier this month, sparking a police warning.

Between July 31 and August 2, the couple received a number of calls from people claiming to work for NatWest.

During the phone calls, the couple were persuaded to disclose banking details.

A man, who claimed to be a NatWest employee, then attended their home to obtain their debit card in exchange for a bogus one.

He was described as being white, around 5ft 10ins tall and wore a NatWest card ID around his neck.

The couple later became suspicious after they received a similar phone call. They then contacted their bank.

The couple found that more than £25,000 had been taken from their bank accounts. The matter was then reported to the police.

PC Wendy Rogers said: “This was a targeted fraud in which an elderly couple lost a substantial amount of money.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people genuine bank employees would never ask you to disclose details such as PIN numbers over the phone.”

It comes just days after the Daily Echo reported that more than 1,800 people and businesses in Hampshire have been attacked by ‘banking trojans’ in the past six months.

The most affected areas in Hampshire are Bargate, Sholing and Bitterne in Southampton.

Police have issued the following advice:

• never give personal details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly

• never hand over your card, money or valuables to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere

• check bank statements as soon as they arrive and always report any unusual activity

• report lost or stolen bank cards immediately.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting 44170299740.