AN ELDERY woman in Whitchurch has been targeted by fraudsters.

Police are warning of a telephone scam after £15,000 was stolen from the victim’s bank account.

The 77-year-old woman received a phone call at her home in Winchester Road on Friday, 14 September, from someone claiming to be from Barclays Bank.

She was asked if she had received her new bank card, to which the victim replied she banked with a different bank.

However the caller said the banks had merged and the victim would need a new card.

The caller then asked for the pin number so it could be linked with the new card, which unfortunately the victim gave over the phone.

The caller then confirmed that a courier would call at the victim’s home address to collect the old card, and a new card would be delivered the following week.

A man arrived at the woman’s home on the same day and collected the victim’s bank card.

She later found that more than £15,000 was taken from her bank account.

The man who called to collect the bank card is described as Asian, aged in his 40s and was wearing a baseball cap.

Police have warned people never give their PIN number or to discuss it over the phone. If unsure, call your bank to verify or dial 101 with any concerns.

Anyone with any information should contact the northern area crime desk at Aldershot police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.