Pensioner robbed in bank card scam

A PENSIONER was robbed of hundreds of pounds by a man who pretended to be from her bank before making off with her cash card.

The scam involved the 83-year-old woman, from Orchard Brae, receiving a call from a man claiming to be from her bank at around 5pm last Thursday.

He told her she was due a cash card update and asked her to put her card and details of her PIN into an envelope for collection.

A short while later, a man arrived at her house and took the envelope. Money was later withdrawn from her account.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "This is a despicable act of deception that has left an elderly woman extremely distressed."

The man is described as Mediterranean in appearance, between 20 and 30 years old, 5ft 7in, slim with short dark hair. He was clean shaven and wearing a black waist-length jacket and dark trousers.

Police refused to reveal how much money was taken from the pensioner, but confirmed it was "several hundreds of pounds".

The spokesman said: "Anyone else who may have been affected by this scam or with information that can help with our investigation is also asked to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.