A Gravesend pensioner has been scammed out of £300 by fraudsters pretending to be police officers.

May Gorvan, 89, is one victim of a new "courier scam" used to con vulnerable and elderly Kent residents into giving out their card details and pin numbers.

Mrs Gorvan recieved a call from a man claiming to be a police officer telling her that her card was being used fraudulently and to call the bank.

The conman then left the line open meaning Mrs Gorvan gave her personal bank details out to a female accomplice calling herself 'Samantha.'

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May Gorvan

The pensioner was then prompted to put her cards in an envelope and hand them over to a man who would come to her front door.

It was only after Mrs Gorvan noticed that £300 was missing from her account that she called the police.

She said: "I have always been conscious of keeping my cards close to me, it makes me feel as though I was an idiot to let him get away with it.

"If it happens to anybody and they are suspicious, put the phone down and the ring the police. I wish I had done it in the first place."

Police have released a video of May's experience in an attempt to warn other residents of the dangers.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Brown said: "Unfortunately these phone apps are both cheap and easily available.

"Our advice is simple; never give your bank details out to anyone who calls you directly.

"If you are concerned about the security of your account then attend your bank in person or use the contact details provided by your bank to contact them directly, preferably from a different phone to the one you received the call on.

"Never ever give out your account information out to someone who canvasses your call."