Victim warns of three-card trick

A DUPED man is warning people to be wary after being conned in a phone scam.

The 59-year-old was tricked out of £300 after giving the details of three credit cards to a conman who rang on Wednesday night pretending to be from BT.

He had the resident’s name and said there had been a problem with payments and he needed to pay the £32 bill or his line would be cut off.

After arguing with the caller, the retired engineer eventually agreed to pay and was told he would be sent a claim form to get the money back if there were any problems.

But he was then told the credit card had not gone through and ended up giving the details of three cards.

He said: “You think ‘I will pay for it now and sort it out later’. But straight away I thought it didn’t seem right.”

He contacted the Post Office, through which he pays the bill, and was told to contact his bank immediately.

It blocked his credit cards but £300 had already been taken.

His bank is refunding the money and told him the scam is widespread and has tricked a lot of people and they are working with police to catch the culprits.

The victim said: “The point is it’s money going to these people. I can’t believe how easily I gave it to them.

“But they are very convincing and keep you talking on the phone.

“They put you on to someone else who says ‘I’m the manager’. They know what they are doing.

“I feel annoyed and upset. I feel I have been so easily duped. I’m forever telling people to be careful and watch TV programmes on these things but you don’t think for two minutes and they have got you. It makes you feel so stupid.

“People need to be made aware. You should never give your details.

“They could have taken a lot more if I hadn’t have stopped the cards straight away.”