Police are warning people to be on their guard against telephone scam artists after a lady in her 80s was conned out of £5,000.

The elderly resident of Tunbridge Wells received a call on Monday, October 22 from a man claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police.

The man allegedly told her that her bank account had been compromised and to protect it she needed to withdraw money and wait for it to be collected.

Unfortunately, the lady drew out £5,000 and passed it to a courier. She told a relative after she was asked to withdraw a further £5,000, who then alerted Kent Police.

Between Saturday, October 20 and Monday, October 22, three other elderly people in Tunbridge Wells were targeted by a telephone fraudster posing as a police officer.

Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur said: “These fraudsters target vulnerable people who are very trusting. They are not concerned with the fear and distress they cause their victims and are just focused on getting as much money as possible.

“It’s encouraging that in three of these cases we were able to intervene before these people were scammed. Unfortunately one of the victims didn’t realise this was a fraudulent call until it was too late.

“I would urge anyone who has received one of these calls, even if they didn’t part with any details or cash, to get in touch and report it.”

The police or your bank will never send a courier to your home to collect your bank card or other items and will never ask for cash, valuables, or your PIN.

If you feel you have been a victim of courier fraud or know someone who has - report it to Kent Police via 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.