DETAILS of a telephone scam that almost defrauded an elderly woman in Thornbury out of £7,000 have emerged. 

The 88-year-old was bombarded with calls from scammers who claimed to need her bank details to process a repayment, but quickly became suspicious and cancelled her bank cards.

She then received further calls from someone claiming to be a bank security employee investigating the earlier incident.

After a neighbour encouraged the woman to contact the police on Thursday, May 11, officers were able to step in to prevent any money being taken.

PC Lee Bainbridge, PCSO Haley Bromley and Trading Standards Officer Neil Derrick discovered that internet banking had been set up on her account without her knowledge, and bank staff were able to act immediately to prevent a transfer of £7,000 from her account. 

The woman told police officers that she had become fearful of answering her phone due to the volume of the calls and the pressure she was being put under.

PC Bainbridge said: “These telephone scammers can be very convincing and very persistent. We’re glad that this lady felt able to speak to her neighbour about these calls. 

"We know that people who don’t have someone looking out for them can be more likely to fall victim to these scammers, some of whom callously persuade them that they are ‘friends’.

“It’s really important to remember that your bank will never ask for your PIN, or ask you to transfer cash ‘as part of an investigation’. 

"If you’re concerned about a caller who is asking for personal or bank details, hang up and call your branch from the number in the phone book or on your bank statement.”

Avon and Somerset Police are now calling on people with vulnerable elderly relatives or friends to help ensure that they don’t fall victim to telephone scams.

They advise people to: 

• check out information about common scams and how to report them on the Action Fraud website and let them know what to look out for
• help them get to the bank – or with online banking – to encourage them not to keep cash at home
• just say hello - pop round for a cuppa and a chat. People who have regular contact with a network of friends are less likely to fall victim to scams