Pensioners targets of ‘despicable’ crime

The elderly residents - a 90-year-old woman from Cranleigh and an 87-year-old woman from Alfold - were both contacted by someone who claimed to work for their bank on Wednesday October 26.

The victims were told a courier was being sent to collect their old debit card and persuaded them to disclose security details.

Debit cards were then collected from the women and used to withdraw £500 from each of the victims’ bank accounts at Barclays Bank in Cranleigh.

Further purchases with a total value of £1,400 were also made on one of the cards.

The courier who collected the debit card in Cranleigh is described as a white man in his early 20s, of slim build, with blonde hair and a fringe. He is around 5ft 7inches tall and was wearing a high-visibility jacket.

Police describe the Alfold courier as a white man with short brown hair, in his late 20s to early 30s and of slim build. He was clean shaven and was wearing a hi-visibility jacket with dark clothes underneath.

Detective Constable Dan Chant, Investigating Officer, said: “I cannot stress how vital it is for members of the community to remember banks do not operate in this way and they would never request a customer to confirm their PIN details over the phone.

“These elderly victims were preyed upon because of their trusting nature and it is despicable that they have been targeted.

“I urge anyone who can help us, or who thinks they may have been a victim of a similar scam, to contact us. We need to build up as much evidence against those responsible as possible and bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information can contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference WV/11/5821, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.