Police are warning the elderly and vulnerable to be on guard following a spate of incidents of telephone fraudsters posing as officers.

Kent Police was made aware of separate incidents in the Sevenoaks district on Tuesday, concerning calls made to confuse potential victims into providing details of bank cards.

In West Kingsdown a woman in her 70s was contacted by someone claiming to be from the ‘serious fraud office’.

She was told hundreds of pounds had been stolen from her after her card was used illegally in shops. When the woman refused to provide any of her card details the man became angry and put phone down.

An elderly woman living in Weald, Sevenoaks was also targeted. She received a phone call from a man who announced himself as PC Danson.

He told her he was calling from Hammersmith police station and was making her aware that bank cards were going missing. When the woman told the officer she was going to ring the police station he hung up the phone.

Inspector Michael Coltham said: "Unfortunately those who are targeted are often the most vulnerable, such as elderly people or victims with learning difficulties. A police force will never ask a member of the public for their bank details, or money, over the phone.

"If you receive one of these calls end it immediately and wait at least five minutes before using your telephone in order to clear your line from the scammer."