A HAMPSHIRE pensioner was conned out of £1,200 by telephone scammers, it has been revealed.

Now police have issued a warning after a spate of bogus calls in the Romsey area.

In the past week police have received four reports of scammers asking people to hand over their PIN numbers and hand over their bank cards.

A 76-year-old woman from Lockerley handed over £1,200 after she was called by someone who claimed to be the manager of her bank’s local branch.

The caller said she was due to receive new bank cards, and that someone could come round to drop them off.

He persuaded the victim to disclose her PIN number while another man came to her door to collect her cards.

When she discovered she had not received her cards and contacted her bank. The incident was then reported to the police.

Two other incidents in Romsey and one in Ampfield have also been reported.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: “These are being treated as linked.

“We are also looking to see if they are linked to previous incidents, including two in the New Forest and one in South Wonston, near Winchester, that took place in March.”

Now police officials are advising residents to be vigilant.

Sergeant Russ Taylor, of Romsey’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We need people to be aware of the details of this scam, so please pass this on to friends or family or anyone who you think might be vulnerable to it.

“Banks will never ask to disclose your PIN number in this way. They will not send a courier to collect your old bank card either. If you get a call like this, please hang up, no matter how convincing they sound. Use a different phone to report the incident to us by dialling 101. ”

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