POLICE are urging residents to be careful after an elderly woman from Monmouthshire was conned out of £3,000 over the phone.

Over the last two weeks Gwent Police have received numerous reports from concerned residents who have had calls from fraudsters claiming to be representatives of the HMRC tax office.

In each case the caller demands money and uses threatening behaviour by saying to the victim enforcement officers will take action if they fail to pay.

Earlier today (1st July), Police had reports of a lady in the Abergavenny area who had been conned out of £3,000 over the phone.

The caller had convinced the lady she would be going to prison for years because she hadn’t paid her tax.

The 83-year-old victim was then encouraged to go and buy thousands of pounds worth of vouchers. The scammers then called her back and asked for the codes of the vouchers, essentially stealing her money.

The elderly victim has been left feeling distressed and upset.

Officers have seized the vouchers and are at the address supporting the victim.

A spokesperson from Gwent Police said: “We are keen to remind residents that they should not give out personal or financial information to anyone that they do not completely trust, and that anyone in any doubt at all should seek professional advice before parting with any money.”

Issues of this nature can be reported to Gwent Police by calling 101, by contacting Monmouthshire County Council’s trading standards department or reporting it to Action Fraud on 03001232040.