CRUEL con merchants duped an 85-year-old Somerset woman out of a quantity of money.

A scammer phoned the victim yesterday (Wednesday) claiming to be from her bank.

They told the woman, from Weston-super-Mare that her bank card had been compromised and tricked her into handing over her PIN number.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the fraudster then arranged for a 'courier' to attend her house to collect the card.

The card was then used the card in a local bank to withdraw money from the victim's account.

DI Clement Goodwin said: "It’s hard to imagine the callousness of people who commit offences like this against some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

"I’d like to encourage people to speak to their elderly relatives, friends and neighbours and make them aware of this latest scam.

"Banks will never ask you for your PIN number of come to your home to collect a bank card.

"If anyone has information which could help our inquiry, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219251253."