POLICE in Bromsgrove are warning people to be on their guard after an elderly woman was conned into giving confidential details over the phone to strangers.

The Bromsgrove woman received a call at home from a woman who spoke with either and American or Canadian accent. She claimed the elderly woman was in a prize draw for £1 million and someone would call her back in 30 minutes.

A man called her back stating she had won just under £3,000 and then asked for her credit card details in order to pay the money into her account.

He also asked for the woman's passport number so she could prove who she was in order to claim her money.

A short while later an attempt to withdraw £3,000 from the woman's Natwest account was made.

Police officers are now liasing with staff from the bank to help with their enquiries.

A Bromsgrove police spokeswoman said: "There have been reports of this type of con before in Redditch and parts of the West Midlands. These con artists target people on the phone and convince them into parting with their credit card numbers.

"We want people to be aware that this has happened in this area so they are prepared if they receive a call from a company claiming that they have received a substantial prize."

Anyone with information, or who has received similar calls, is asked to contact Bromsgrove police on 01527 584888 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.