Bank-card scam warning

Philadelphia police have issued an alert about a group of con artists that has robbed a handful of elderly women out of their hard-earned money.

The latest victim was scammed Friday.

"The victims are contacted via telephone by someone claiming to work for their bank," said Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives.

"They tell the victims that there is some sort of a problem with their bank card and that they need to hand over their card and PIN [personal identification number]," Walker added.

Then, shortly after or even while the victims are on the phone with the phony bank representative - who usually claims that he or she is from Wachovia or Citizens Bank - they get a knock on the door.

Police said it's another phony bank employee coming to collect the ATM card and the PIN number.

"Then they use the card at various retail institutions," Walker said.

So far, about $35,000 is the largest amount racked up in fraudulent charges, Walker said.

The thieves suspected of this deception have limited their scamming to the areas of Southwest Philadelphia and so far have only targeted women between the ages of 69 and 81, but Walker warned that anyone could be a victim.

"There is no need to give your PIN number or ATM card to anyone. Bank employees are never going to ask you for that kind of information over the phone or in person," Walker warned.

Anyone with information about the thieves is asked to call police at 215-686-3183. *