POLICE are calling for renewed vigilance after Tynedale residents fell victim to a string of hoax calls.

An elderly woman was conned out of £120,000 on Thursday, May 19, after receiving a call from bogus callers pretending to be police officers from Scotland Yard.

The woman was told that her bank account had been targeted by criminals and that she should transfer money to their account for ‘safeguarding.’

Since then Northumbria Police have received two further reports, on Tuesday May 24, from residents who have received similar calls.

Detective Inspector Angela Hufton said: “I urge people not to be fooled by these callers. If you do receive a call of this nature, please hang up and inform police straight away via 101.

“The callers may sound professional and very convincing but you should always make contact with either the police or the bank to confirm their identity.

“Any genuine callers will not mind waiting or being asked to call back while their identification is checked and we ask anyone who has elderly relatives or friends to remind them of police advice and to make sure they are vigilant to bogus callers.

“It’s important for residents to know that a police officer or bank would never ask a member of the public to withdraw money or give any of their personal details over the phone in this way.

“It is important to only use widely publicised contact numbers for the police or banks.

“If anyone has any elderly or vulnerable relatives or friends we would ask them to remind them to be on their guard to such bogus callers.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.