Bradford East MP David Ward has urged friends and family of elderly or vulnerable people to make sure they are aware of a possible phone scam affecting thousands of people up and down the country and how to prevent them.

Police have warned Ofcom, the communications watchdog, of a successful phone scam where fraudsters use courier firms to help defraud elderly and vulnerable victims of their life savings.

Over the past two years, ‘Courier Fraud’ has claimed 2,229 victims, most of whom were elderly. Police estimate that consumers have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, with one victim alone losing £155,000.

Liberal Democrats MP Mr Ward said: “We must do our bit to ensure that our nearest and dearest are aware of these phone scams and have the tools and knowledge available to them.”

Details can be found at consumers.ofcom.org.uk.