POLICE are investigating after three Hampshire pensioners were conned into parting with a total of £25,000.

Three victims, all in their 80s, handed over the cash after receiving calls from bogus police officers targeting householders in Itchen Abbas, Waltham Chase and Colden Common.

In each case the fake officer said they were investigating fraudulent transactions affecting the pensioner’s bank account.

A police spokesman said: “The victims were asked to withdraw cash from their bank and check the serial numbers. They were then advised that some of the money was counterfeit and a courier was sent to collect it.

“We’re concerned there may be other victims who are unaware that they have been the victim of fraud.”

Police are urging families to make sure elderly relatives are aware of these “courier frauds” which start with a phone call from someone pretending to be from the police or the target’s bank.

The fraudster claims there’s an issue with your card or bank account and gets you to reveal personal information, including your PIN number. A courier is then sent to collect the card, which is used to withdraw cash from the victim’s account.

Variations on the scam include telling the victim they have an outstanding tax bill or loan which needs to paid off or they will be arrested or withdrawing a large sum will help catch a crooked member of staff at the bank or Post Office.

Police remind the public not to give out personal information about their bank account to anybody over the phone and that police and banks will never ask for details such as account or PIN numbers.

They also stress that if calls claiming to be a police officer the recipient of the call should ask for their identification number and police force.

If you are asked for your bank details hang up and call 101 using a different phone.

If you can’t use a different phone, wait at least five minutes before calling back.