If you’ve lost your purse of wallet recently, take note of this scam below. It goes without saying that you should never reveal your PIN number to anyone. Even if they say they are your bank. Ed
Police on the Isle of Wight are issuing a warning about cold callers phoning victims of crime after stealing their credit or debit cards.
Officers are investigating two cases where purses were stolen from women on the island this week.
On both occasions, the victims received cold calls from men claiming to be bank security staff and police officers.
The callers ask the victims for their PIN numbers by making them believe this information is needed to examine and cancel the stolen credit or debit card.
In one case, a woman disclosed her PIN number and lost £250 before her bank cancelled the stolen card.
Isle of Wight Crime Prevention Officer Michala Bailey said: “The police do not need to know PIN numbers to investigate the loss or theft of cards, and the banks do not need this information to cancel stolen cards. The only person who needs to know the PIN number is the card’s rightful owner.
“I would remind people never to reveal their personal PIN numbers to anyone, and not to provide any personal or financial information to cold callers.
“Don’t hesitate to challenge and question the identities and motives of any callers who you believe are suspicious. Try dialling 1471 afterwards to find out if the caller has allowed their number to be traced.
“Anyone who receives a call like this should try to remember as much as they can about the bogus caller, and the details they give you over the phone. This information can prove vital to police in identifying and catching offenders.”
Anyone with information, or who receives a similar call, is asked to report the matter to police as soon as possible by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
