An incident in which an elderly woman was conned by fraudsters into revealing her bank details over the phone has been linked to similar scams in Dover.

Detectives investigating a spate of frauds across the county are urging people to be extra vigilant.

The offenders have been making phone calls to elderly or vulnerable people, claiming their card has been used fraudulently.

The suspect tells the victim to call their bank but someone intercepts the call. They then obtain all the information about the account they need such as a PIN number and tell the victim they will come and collect the card from them. The suspect then uses the card to withdraw cash.

Kent Police is linking up to 60 reports of scams across the county in the last two months including in Dover.

A pensioner from Dartford had £330 taken from her account.

The 76-year-old said: “I had a phone call and the young man on the phone said he was from the police and that he had picked up three lads that had my bank details. He told me to call the number on the back of my card and report it to the bank, which I did.

“What I didn’t realise was that he hadn’t put the phone down so when someone else came on the line it was one of those carrying out the scam. I thought I was speaking to the bank.”

All the incidents are now under investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Economic Crime Unit.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Davies said: “Fortunately more people are becoming aware of this crime and there have been a number of cases where these fraudsters were foiled.

But, sadly, others are still being tricked out of large sums of money.

“The actions of these thieves are nothing short of despicable. They prey on the elderly or vulnerable people purporting to be from the police or a national retailer, before stealing large sums of money.

“If you are suspicious about anyone who telephones you do not give out any details and ask for a number to call them back.

“Then contact Kent Police to report it. Never hand over any bank cards to someone who calls at your door or give any information about your bank accounts out over the phone.”

Anyone with information about these incidents should call the police on 01622 654367 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.