CREDIT card fraudsters are conning hundreds of pounds out of west Wiltshire residents in the latest telephone scam.

Trading standards officers at Wiltshire County Council have warned of a new scam involving bogus credit card staff telephoning customers to access confidential information.

The scam involves a caller claiming to be from Visa or Mastercard security who asks for personal details stating the customer is at risk from fraud.

Victims stand to lose up to £500 and some customers have also been targeted by e-mail.

The credit card fraudsters failed in an attempt to rip off trading standards officer Sue Wilkin.

She said: "We have had a number of reports of people in Wiltshire being targeted by these fraudsters.

"Everyone should be very careful not to respond to such requests for information.

"Visa and Mastercard confirm they will never ask for such details as they know exactly what is on your card and do not need to verify it."