A MAN from Moretonhampstead is warning about fraudulent bank callers after he narrowly avoided being scammed.

It was just another Wednesday for Larry Kuiper at his shop Moreton Newsagents, until the phone rang.

The caller, who introduced himself as Simon Fraser, claimed to be phoning from Lloyds bank.

‘Simon’ told Larry that his card had been used at London department store, Harvey Nichols, to the tune of £540.

‘This £500 to Harvey Nichols started the conversation, to which I said it absolutely was not me’ Larry said.

‘Simon’ then told Larry that because of this transaction his card would be cancelled and he would be given a new one, including a new customer number and sort code.

‘All the time I am thinking, “a bank wouldn't do that, a bank wouldn't do that”, but they suck you in’ Larry said.

‘It was all too smooth, too slick, to a point where I said to him, “I don’t trust you and I am terminating this call”’ Larry said.

Larry then put his phone down, however ‘Simon’ did not immediately hang up, which is when the scam caller dropped the act and could be heard swearing.

‘I generally don't answer, but I was in my shop, and, of course, my phone is for business purposes too.

‘It was an 020 number, a London number, I get those calls, from my wholesalers for example, all the time.

It was a close call for the Moretonhampstead newsagent.

‘When you’re answering on the telephone never say yes, never say no, never give direct answers because they are recording your voice - they’re building up a conversation using your voice’ Larry said.

‘They can then phone the bank and authorise payments, and as far as the bank are concerned “you” have authorised them because it is your voice’ Larry added.

‘The public need to know about this’

If you think someone is calling to trick you into giving them money or your personal details, hang up and call 159.

This is a secure service that connects you directly with your bank.