Wiltshire hotel guests taken in by bank fraud scam (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire hotel guests taken in by bank fraud scam

10:57am Wednesday 19th December 2012 in News By Staff reporter

Wiltshire Police are issuing a warning to all guests staying in hotels over the festive period.

Over the past week, police have received several reports of thefts from rooms at hotels in the county. One of these incidents involved two guests at the Littlecote House Hotel in Ramsbury having their bank cards and driving licenses’ stolen.

They have then received a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank. They advised the victim that there had been fraudulent withdrawals from their account and that they needed their PIN number to progress the investigation further.

Unfortunately, the victims gave their PIN numbers to the caller and minutes later money had been withdrawn from their accounts.

PC Lisa Draper from the Crime Management Unit in Swindon said: "Please be vigilant if staying in a hotel and report any suspicious behaviour to reception.

"Also, never give out your PIN number to anyone over the phone or in person. Legitimate calls from banks or building societies will never ask for your PIN number. "The only person who should know your PIN number is you.

"If you have been a victim of theft or fraud please contact your local policing team and inform your bank as soon as possible."

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.