Police urge vigilance following spate of bank card scams

By Swindon Link - 10 October 2019

Community

Officers are urging residents to be vigilant – particularly the elderly – following two similar incidents of fraud.

In both incidents, victims have received phone calls regarding an ‘upgrade’ to their bank cards. 

In one incident, a woman in the Devizes area gave her address to a caller and later received a visit from a man, who asked for her bank card. 

The woman was reluctant to hand over her card, so cut it up first and then handed it over. The man then handed her back what she now knows is a fake bank card. 

Sergeant Tracey Holloway said: “Fortunately, the victim in this case contacted the bank quickly and they cancelled her card. 

“It is really important that people are aware of these types of scams – the scammers often target elderly, vulnerable people, so please share this information with your elderly relatives and neighbours so they are aware of the importance of not giving out personal details over the phone or to cold callers.

“Banks would never contact you in this way. If you are unsure, always hang up and contact your bank directly, or call the police on 101.” 

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