Police have received further reports of frauds relating to suspects posing as car park attendants to fraudulently obtain people’s bank details.

Last month, three cases were reported to the force; two happened at car parks in Coalville while one happened in Glenfield and as much as £1,300 has been taken from one victims bank account.

The circumstances in those incidents are the same as the further report received again in Coalville.

During each incident, a person impersonating a car parking attendant approaches someone who is intending to pay for their parking.

They have then guided the person to a specific meter and told them after they have entered their bank card to read their PIN number out loud to allow the machine to register the number.

The machine, which clearly has been tampered with, refuses to return the card and the victim believes it has been accidentally retained.

When the victim leaves the machine with the card still inside, the fraudster retrieves and fraudulently uses the card with the read-out PIN number.

Nicole McIntyre, from the force’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “This is something new that unfortunately while first reported to us last month seems to be continuing as a way of fraudulently taking money from again elderly victims, so we know that these people are targeting those they believed are vulnerable.

“Our advice remains the same; you will never be asked to verify your PIN in such circumstances and if you are unsure that someone is a genuine car parking attendant, ask for a verified ID.

“If you are not sure and have any suspicion a criminal offence is being commented, please do not enter your card into the machine and contact police.

Ms McIntyre added: “I would also like to encourage anyone who has any elderly relatives or friends to make them aware of this scam as they will hopefully follow our advice if they are approached in the same manner.”

You can contact police on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Further information about how you protect yourself against fraud can be found here Advice about fraud | Leicestershire Police or via Action Fraud