SHOPPERS were warned about fraudsters targeting the vulnerable and elderly at an awareness event this week.

Thames Valley Police headed to Cowley’s Templars Square shopping centre to help combat courier fraud in the city.

Officers and crime reduction advisers were on hand to advise passers-by on crime prevention measures and approaches taken by fraudsters.

The scams often involve victims receiving telephone calls from an unknown person claiming to be a police officer or bank official.

Telephone lines are kept open when victims contact their banks or contact the police, enabling fraudsters to gain secure information.

Couriers then collect bank cards or cash from the victim’s address.

Littlemore resident Iris Williams was passing the stand and stopped to get advice from the officers there.

She said: “If anyone comes to the door now, or if someone is ringing on the phone, then you don’t pick up or wait until they go.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bird, from Oxford Local Police Area, said: “Our focus at the shopping centre on Wednesday was to highlight the strategies used by fraudsters in this scam.

“We know that the victims targeted are generally vulnerable financially and therefore wanted to provide information on crime prevention and early reporting which will hopefully reduce the chances of them becoming a victim.”

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