POLICE are warning residents to be aware of scammers claiming to be calling from banks.

The message comes as officers say a number of people in Southend have reported phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be from the victim's bank.

It is believed that elderly victims are being targeted.

The bogus callers quote the victim's name, bank details and address in an attempt to validate the call and go on to claim that “their bank accounts have been hacked and the victim needs safeguarding.”

They then prompt the victim to give their bank cards and PINs to a member of staff who say “they will attend their home address to collect them.”

Within minutes the suspects will then visit their home and withdraw money from the victim's accounts.

Police insist that the force or bank officials would never call customers and ask for full bank details or to withdraw large sums of cash.

If you think you have been a victim, call police from a different number, or if you don’t have another phone, use a neighbour’s, or wait five minutes before dialling 101 or 999 in urgent cases.

Police also say that letters and bank statements containing sensitive information should be shredded before being thrown away.