Police warning as scammers continue to target area

Warwickshire Police is investigating another spate of scams targeting elderly and vulnerable people.

Following a number of incidents of courier fraud, where offenders pretend to be police officers from London reporting that bank accounts have been compromised, the latest scam names Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

On Saturday (21 May) an 85-year-old man from Stratford took a call from someone claiming to be from HMRC who told him that he owed more than £4,000 and threatened to arrest him if he didn't pay within an hour.

The man became suspicious and hung up, having already reported the matter to the police.

The same day an 80-year-old woman from Long Itchington picked up a message from a man claiming to be from HMRC and asking her to call him back. When she returned the call she too was told that she owed money for tax and needed to get a solicitor or she could be arrested.

Her son took over the phone call and told the caller to put everything in writing which he said he would do then hung up.

Earlier in the week a woman in Wellesbourne had two messages with the same claim, but she phoned the genuine HMRC instead and was reassured that the calls were not from them and it was not the way they would work.

Inspector Julia Brealey, of the Stratford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "This is very worrying that elderly and vulnerable people in our community are still being targeted with scams like this.

"The victims in these instances have, at least, realised it is a scam and have not been fooled into handing money over.

"I would urge everyone to be very suspicious of this type of call and make sure that their elderly and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours are aware of this."

Anyone with information about this type of incident, or is aware of any suspicious activity, is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org