POLICE have warned Hampshire residents about courier fraud after two elderly residents were scammed out of more than £6,000.

As part of a recent scam, people are calling vulnerable residents pretending to be police officers and telling them that their bank account has been subject to fraud.

The fraudsters then say that money must be withdrawn immediately to protect it from being stolen, and this cash is then collected in person from their house by another fraudster.

While this happens country wide, this week, two elderly Chandler's Ford residents fell victim to this crime.

Firstly, on Monday February 17, an 80-year-old man lost £3,200 to the scam, and then again on Tuesday February 18, an 80-year-old woman lost £3,400

According to officers, the scammers often say they are from a police station in London and that they are "working undercover" due to their being fraudulent activity on their account, when in fact they are simply trying to scam people.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "Police officers will never call people in this way and ask you to withdraw money or disclose personal or financial information. If someone does do this, please hang up, it will be a scam, and consider contacting your telephone provider to get a free call-blocking service if you are getting unsolicited calls.

"If you are a friend, relative or carer of someone you think might be vulnerable to this type of scam, please speak to them about this advice. You might be the only person who can stop them from being scammed and if you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report it to us by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999."

Residents have been encouraged to make themselves aware of this type of scam and how to protect against it by visiting the Action Fraud website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk.