DETECTIVES have charged three men over several frauds in Hampshire.

Lungangi Amani, 20, London, Rakeem Worthington 20, Middlesex and Abdullah Hajji, 20, London have all been charged with conspiring to commit fraud by false representation.

The three are due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on September 16.

The charges come after a number of incidents in Alton and surrounding areas where elderly residents have been called by someone claiming to be a police officer who asks them to divulge personal banking information or to withdraw cash from their accounts.

Victims are then told a courier or taxi driver will attend their home address to collect the cash.

Detective Constable Ian Cullen said: "I would urge people to check and check again before talking to anyone on the phone about their personal banking. You will not usually be asked to disclose details of your PIN by anyone, so be on your guard.

"I would also urge people to speak to any older relatives, friends or neighbours who they think may be vulnerable to this sort of scam and give them the following advice - • Never give out personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone.

• If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification number and police force. Hang up and call 101 using a different phone. If you can’t use a different phone, wait at least five minutes before calling back. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check.

• If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank up to cancel your cards as soon as possible.

• Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere.

• If someone comes to your door claiming to be a police officer or staff member, always ask for identification and make a note of their ID number. Ask them to wait while you verify their identity. Close the door and call 101.”