FRAUDSTERS posing as the police have been targeting the Basildon and Wickford area in the last week.

Essex Police have issued an urgent warning to residents in the area after several phone calls by fraudsters were received.

From January 20 onwards a number of homes have been targeted but fortunately money was not taken and the attempts were instead reported to the police.

The incidents are the latest in a string of crimes targeting elderly people and tricking them into revealing their bank details or handing over large sums of cash.

All the recent calls in the Basildon area were by someone posing as a police officer from Hammersmith police station.

Essex Police is asking people to advise elderly neighbours and relatives that if they are suspicious about a phone conversation they should end the call and contact police via 101.

Remember to use a mobile phone or wait at least five minutes before calling the police from your landline though, to ensure you aren’t reconnected to the offender.

The police have also reminded people that they, or your bank, would never ask for bank details or PIN over the phone, ask you to withdraw money and send it to them or ask you to send them you bank cards or any other personal property.