A fraudster tricked two pensioners into handing their bank cards and pin numbers to an accomplice by pretending to be a police officer investigating a crime.

The elderly couple were at their home in Guernsey Road, Poole, on Tuesday night when a man claiming to be an officer from Bournemouth and Poole Police rang them up to tell them two men had been arrested in possession of their bank details.

The couple, believing the call to be from a genuine police officer, gave their bank cards and pin numbers to a courier sent to the door during the phone call.

Detective Constable Al Marks, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: “Similar scams have occurred recently where the offenders have claimed to be from BT. I cannot stress strongly enough that bank cards and pin numbers should not be given to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.

“A real police officer would never ask for these items to be surrendered.

“This incident is extremely distressing to those targeted and I am concerned that more people may have been affected. If you feel that you have been the victim of a similar offence I urge you to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who has information that can help with this investigation, if you know anything please come forward.

“I ask the local community to be extra vigilant to this type of crime as the offender targeted vulnerable elderly members of the public.

“If you receive calls of this nature report them to police by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Please also pass this information on to friends and neighbours.”