Hundreds targeted by phone scam in East Yorkshire

Humberside Police say more than £250,000 has been lost to phone scammers in the last year

Hundreds of people in East Yorkshire are being targeted by phone scammers posing as police officers following a rise in so called 'vishing' fraud.

Humberside Police said more than £250,000 has been stolen from victims in the last year.

They said up to 25 people a day - more than 750 people a month - are receiving calls from bogus officials.

The force has urged people to be aware of the scam.

"Vishing" - or voice phishing - occurs when fraudsters, often posing as police officer, phone their target and tell them they have been the victim of fraud.

The victim is then duped into either handing over their card and personal details, often to a second fraudster posing as a bank employee, or into passing cash to a courier in order to protect it.

How to protect yourself against 'vishing'

Banks will never

• ask you to authorise a transfer of money to a new account, or hand over cash

• ask for your PIN or passwords in full on the phone or via email

• send someone to your home to collect cards or cash

• ask you to send personal banking information via email or text

• ask you to carry out a test transaction online

• call you to advise you buy diamonds, land or other commodities

source: Financial Ombudsman Service

Det Sgt Mike Wood, of Humberside Police, said: "Over the last four months we've had a vast influx.

"I would estimate that probably around £250,000 has been lost. We've had some people who have lost quite large amounts but a more regular amount is about £5,000."

Pat Bottomley, who lost £8,000 said: "I can't give anything to charities anymore, which used to be one of my big pleasures, or to my children and grand children. It leaves you personally devastated."