POLICE have launched an appeal after a pensioner was scammed out of hundreds of pounds of iTunes vouchers.

A woman, 86, from Hillhead, Fareham, received a phone call from a man requesting her to go to her nearest Cooperative store in Lee-on-the-Solent.

The scammers had called the shop in advance and requested that staff reserve £400 worth of iTunes gift cards for her. Scammers booked the woman a taxi which took her to collect the vouchers.

She was then told that she was entitled to £800 compensation but had to buy the iTunes vouchers in order to claim the money.

Staff were suspicious when the victim spoke to them in-store which prompted them to call the police.Police are also investigating a similar incident on Tuesday morning in the Alver Valley area of Gosport.Investigating officer PC Jonathan Needham said: “I’m keen that no-one else falls victim to a similar type of phone call from someone that they do not know.

“We’re now undertaking enquiries to see if the reports are linked and are providing advice to the victims to ensure she doesn’t receive similar calls again.

“I’d urge anyone with elderly family members in Lee-on-the-Solent to share our crime prevention advice.”

Police have also issued the following advice to people to ensure they don’t fall for a similar scam:

- Never give personal or bank account details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly

- Never tell anyone your PIN number

- If you have given out information which could compromise your bank security in any way, call yourbank to cancel your cards as soon as possible

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

Call 101 if you’re concerned about an unsolicited phone call from someone that you do not kn Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference number 44170361795.