POLICE are warning residents in Basingstoke of a telephone scam after an elderly woman was targeted.

Police community support officer (PCSO) Deborah Doherty, from the Basingstoke district, said the woman received a call from people pretending to be police officers.

She added: "They told her there had been fraudulent activity within her bank account and wanted her to withdraw £5,000 and not tell anyone for three days. Luckily the lady recognised it as a scam and hung up."

She has advised people to never give details of bank accounts, credit or debit card or PIN numbers.

Banks and police will never ask for these details.

PCSO Doherty added: "Never accept offers over the phone if they sound too good to be true, they usually are. Never give personal details over the phone. Report any suspicious phone calls to your phone company."

Phone numbers can be registered with Telephone Preference Service (TPS Online) or 0845 070 0707 as most telephone providers will block anonymous callers.