Increase in number of 'courier scam' victims

A pensioner has been duped out of hundreds of pounds in a phone bank card scam that is seeing an increasing number of victims in the West Midlands.

More than 40 people have fallen victim to the so-called courier scam which involves people being persuaded to hand over their bank cards to criminals.

The 85-year-old from Birmingham gave his PIN details to bogus police after his card had been "fraudulently" used.

He lost £300 and described the fraudsters as "low-life cowards".

'Calculated thieves'

The victim was told last month his card had been used on a £1,000 shopping spree and was advised to call his bank to block further transactions.

The scammers jammed the line so when he re-dialled he thought he was giving security details to bank staff.

A courier was then despatched to collect his bank card saying it was needed as evidence.

Officers first became aware of the scam last year and said that in the first six weeks of this year about 40 people, aged between 59 to 93, have collectively lost around £10,000.

"These con artists are cold, calculated thieves: their tactic is to scare and confuse elderly people into handing over sensitive information," a police spokesman said.