Bank Card Stolen From Pershore Householder In Scam

Police in South Worcestershire have warned the public not to hand over their bank cards to callers, no matter how plausible they may seem.

The warning comes after a Pershore man was tricked into giving his card to a caller, thinking that he was receiving a ‘new' card as a replacement.

The victim had been called by a man the previous day saying that he was from his bank and that his new card was waiting for him at the local branch.

Before he could go to collect it the following day, he was called again and told that a courier was coming to deliver the new card and take the existing one away.

A man turned up within an hour and took away the card in a brown envelope leaving behind a replacement ‘gold' card bearing the words ‘Australia's First Bank'. When questioned by the victim as to the branding, the man said it was an ‘up-grade'.

A police spokesman said: "This is the first time that this particular type of offence has been reported to us and we urge everyone not to hand over bank cards - or personal details - to a stranger at the door, no matter how plausible they may seem."

The offender is described as white, aged between 25 and 30, 6ft 2ins tall, slim, un-shaven, with dark, medium-length hair. He wore a white, long-sleeved top and casual trousers.

Anyone who saw the man in the High Street between noon and 12.30pm hours on 26 August, or who has been approached in a similar way, is asked to contact police on 0300 333 3000, quoting 311S/260810. Information can also be given - anonymously - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Issued: Friday 27 August 2010