THROUGH your letters pages I would like to bring the following to the attention of readers, particularly the elderly, vulnerable and anyone living alone.

There are telephone scams operating in the Forest area, and no doubt throughout the country. The recent ones seem to be in respect of refunds to bank customers due to paying insurance etc for loans in the past, and to utility services.

One evening, about 6.25pm, I received a phone call from a foreign-sounding man whose English was extremely poor, who told me that I was due a refund from charges made by my bank.

I was not very pleased having my evening meal interrupted, but I listened. I asked him what refund I was having. He told me something I could not understand. Eventually I told him I have never paid charges to my bank (a little fib).

I put the phone down and immediately the phone ran again. It was the same sounding voice who was trying to give me an indecent phone call. Eventually I told him I had heard worse when I was in the police service and I sang the first verse of 'How much is that Doggy in the Window' to him.

I again put the phone down and again it rang almost immediately but I did not answer.

The next morning I received a call from a woman whose knowledge of English was extremely poor. She told me I was due a refund. To amuse myself I went along with her. She wanted to know my age so I told her 31 (a big fib), she asked for my date of birth and I told her that that was an infringement of the Data Protection Act. She asked for the name of my bank so I told her NatWest (another fib), and she asked for details of my bank card.

She then asked for the 16 numbers of my card and told me that they began 487. Now that number was given in the hope I would say, but my card does not start with that number. Some people will probably give the correct number. I accepted the 487 and then made up the rest of my numbers. She asked for the date of expiry and the numbers on the reverse of the card, which I again made up.

She then told me that the numbers I had given were incorrect and could I repeat them. Of course I couldn't because I could not remember the numbers I?had given.

After about five minutes I thanked her for amusing me but I had to take my dogs out for their walk.

The following day I had a further phone call from a foreign sounding man who asked me about my utilities. I told him I did not have gas or electric (which was a little fib) and he cut me off.

People should be aware of these phone calls and make sure that they never give out their bank details to anyone over the phone.?I listen to Money-Box and the man stressed that customers should deal with their banks rather than the companies advertising on TV as they can charge up to 25 per cent of the refund.

It is getting worrying that so many con-merchants are making such phone calls but it is up to the individual to be on their guard. I would advise recipients of calls to either say they do not have a bank account or the refund has already been made.

– Mrs J P Pennock, Ruardean Woodside.