AN elderly Ledbury man was scammed out of £1,120 after he fell victim to a telephone fraudster and handed over his bank details.

The man, who does not wish to be named, was contacted on Wednesday, June 25,by fraudsters posing as officers from the Metropolitan police in Hammersmith.

They told him he was the victim of bank account fraud and a courier was then sent to collect his bank cards.

The man's cards were then used to withdraw £1,120 from his accounts.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "You should never reveal your personal bank details or the PIN number for your bank cards to anyone.

"Your bank and the police will never contact you by phone to ask for this information. Victims should refuse to give any details and end the call immediately.

"In addition a police officer calling at your door will carry a warrant card which shows their name, number and a photograph as well as the force they work for. If you have any doubts you should call the police on 101 and ask for the name to be verified.

"Genuine police officers will never ask for bank details over the telephone. One simple rule will prevent you from falling for this kind of con and that is to never give bank details to anyone who has called you."

Anyone with information about suspicious callers claiming to be police should call the police on 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.