Police today issued an alert over fake officers targeting elderly people across Hampshire.

Hampshire Constabulary is urging residents to be aware of the latest telephone scam which has been reported to our officers.

Police have been made aware of two incidents in the Bordon area in which elderly residents have been contacted by men claiming to be police officers investigating fraud allegations.

In both incidents, the women were persuaded to take taxis to the bank to withdraw cash which would later be collected by the men – who claimed they would check if it was counterfeit.

Both victims mentioned the calls to taxi drivers during their journey to the bank and the incidents were reported to police.

The first incident took place between 4.15pm and 4.45pm on Monday, February 20, when the 84-year-old victim was asked to withdraw £5000.

A similar incident took place between 2pm and 4pm on Thursday, February 23, when an 85-year-old woman was contacted.

Neither of the victims parted with any money.

Detective Constable Jo Martindale, from Basingstoke CID, said: “We are urging members of the public to be vigilant regarding these scam calls.

“The police will never ask for your bank or card detail, and they will never ask you to withdraw money from your account.

“Thankfully these two incidents were reported to police by taxi drivers. Without this intervention the victims could have parted with large sums of money.

“The offenders appear to be targeting elderly people, so I ask members of the public to keep an eye out for elderly relatives and neighbours.”

Anyone who receives a phone call of this nature, or indeed any call that they suspect is a scam, should hang up and call police on 101.

For more information and advice, visit http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/news-and-appeals/campaigns/Doorstep_crime