Alert over ID fraud

8:47am Monday 12th May 2008

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PEOPLE are being warned to be careful about revealing personal information after a doorstep incident in Kidderminster which might be linked to a bank fraud investigation.

The warning comes after a woman in her 80s living on the Foley Park estate received a bank statement on April 26 with her address on it but sent to someone with a foreign name.

Earlier that week, a man she described as foreign, called at her home and asked for her postcode, saying he needed it in order to send a letter to someone in the area.

After the bank statement arrived, the woman started receiving mail with the same name on it from other organisations. A fraud investigation has now been launched by the bank concerned.

Local policing officer, PC Mandy Baldwin, said: "Identity theft and fraud is a serious matter and this incident highlights the importance of not giving personal details out, either in person or over the phone.

"It may be that, in this instance, the person who called at the pensioner's home was genuine but any behaviour or activity that arouses suspicion should also be reported to the police immediately so that we can check it out."