Fraudsters have been posing as police officers to target pensioners in Hertfordshire retirement villages.

A scam warning has been issued after reports of con artists phoning people claiming there is fraudulent activity on their bank account.

Victims are then often asked to put their bank cards or money into an envelope and give them to a courier sent to their home by the caller.

Herts Police said older residents have been "particularly targeted" and urged residents to alert them before they fall foul of the scam.

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In other cases, victims are asked to buy goods or vouchers or to tell the scammer their bank details as part of the sham “investigation”.

Police reiterated that officers and banks never ever ask for someone’s bank account details or PIN numbers over the phone.

They will also never ask them to withdraw money, purchase items or send personal property by courier.

Any suspicious activity can be reported to police via 101.