A THIEF stole a man s wallet and a woman s purse – on the same day - and then tricked both victims into giving him their pin numbers. Both victims then had money withdrawn from their accounts. The first incident was between 7.40am and 10.20am on Friday,

A THIEF stole a man's wallet and a woman's purse - on the same day - and then tricked both victims into giving him their pin numbers.

Both victims then had money withdrawn from their accounts.

The first incident was between 7.40am and 10.20am on Friday, October 5 when a woman's purse was stolen from the Cedar House Surgery on Huntingdon Street in St Neots.

Immediately after the theft, the purse owner received a call from a man saying he was from the Nationwide Bank. This man claimed someone was attempting to withdraw money from the owners account and asked the victim for her PIN.

The victim gave her PIN over the phone and a withdrawal was made of £200.

The second theft was between 10am and 10.40am when a wallet was stolen from premises on Grammar School Walk in Huntingdon.

The victim then received a call from someone claiming to be from the Fraud Protection Agency. This man claimed someone was attempting to withdraw money from the owners account and asked the victim for his PIN.

The victim gave his PIN over the phone and a withdrawal was made of £1,250.

Police are warning people to be on their guard and to not reveal their PIN to anyone. Bank staff do not request a PIN at any time.

Trevor Bracken, community safety manager, said: "I would urge people to always keep their belongings in a secure place, or if you can, on your person.

"I would also urge the public not to reveal their PIN to anyone even if they say they're from your bank."

INFORMATION: Contact Crime Management Unit at March Police Station on 0845 456 456 4 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.