Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a phone scam where a St Albans woman was duped by fraudsters impersonating police.

The woman, in her 40s, was phoned by a man claiming to be a police officer, who said he was investigating fraudulent activity in the woman’s bank account, on Thursday, March 6.

She was asked to provide her PIN and give her bank card to a courier who was later sent to collect it. No money was taken from the woman.

The 16-year-old boys from London were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation the same day and have been released on police bail until Tuesday, May 6.

DC Mandy Davies from St Albans Local Crime Unit said: "We have a robust approach to these types of offences and arrests are continuing to be made in connection with phone scams, but I would still urge people to remain aware.

"It’s vital that people are aware these types of scams are happening and that there are ways of protecting yourself from them. Please remember that a police officer would never ask anyone for their personal bank account details, including account numbers or PINs and they would also never ask for someone to withdraw money or send them their bank card. Bank staff would also never make such requests.

"Anyone who receives a similar call should not part with any personal information, money or bank cards. Instead, please call the police immediately via the non-emergency number 101. It is possible the offenders may not have hung up the phone so only call the police when you can hear the dialling tone or use a mobile phone to make the call.

"Offenders do appear to be targeting elderly people and we would ask people to share this information and advice with elderly relatives and neighbours so they are made aware."