DETECTIVES investigating a number of incidents where elderly people have been defrauded of hundreds of thousands of pounds, are urging residents to be vigilant.

North Yorkshire Police said organised criminal gangs are carrying out telephone scams to carry out fraudulent transactions by convincing the victims they are calling from their bank.

The warning comes after a couple in their eighties from the Ryedale area lost more than £300,000 hrough several fraudulent transactions and an elderly woman in her seventies from York lost almost £300,000.

Detective Sergeant Ben Bowles said the fraudsters were adept at convincing people that they are legitimate.

He said: “They often use clever tactics to gain personal information from the victim, which they will then use to trick the victim into trusting them.

“Under no circumstances would a legitimate bank official ask you to transfer money from your bank account over the telephone."

He said a simple technique to safeguard against the crime was to write down the telephone number for your bank and if people had any doubts about callers they could use the number to call the bank.

Det Sgt Bowles added: “We are also appealing to families and friends of the elderly. It is really important you help to ensure that they are vigilant against this type of crime. Make sure they are aware of these scams and how they can try and prevent it.”

For more information, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/fraud