Officers are investigating after Staffordshire residents handed over thousands of pounds to fake police officers in the Lichfield & Tamworth areas.

On Monday 3 March, we were told that a woman in her 80s from Lichfield had received phone calls from several people claiming to be police officers.

They told the victim they were investigating a fraud case and persuaded her to withdraw thousands of pounds in Euros from a Tesco store in the city.

She then handed over the money to a man in the car park of the store.

On Wednesday 12 March, we received a report that a couple, also in their 80s and from Tamworth, had been called by a man claiming to be a police officer.

He asked them to withdraw cash for an undercover police operation.

The husband and wife handed over £4,950 to a man who visited their home. When he asked for a further £30,000 they refused and he left with the original amount.

Police officers will never ask for bank details over the phone and would never ask for cash.

Follow this advice

•            If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.

•            If you don’t have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.

•            Just because someone knows basic details about you like your address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees.

•            Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.

•            If you think you or someone you know has been defrauded, you can report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.