Fraudsters who raid people’s bank accounts are targeting the elderly and vulnerable in Crouch End and Muswell Hill.

The conmen pose as investigators from bank or police fraud squads and persuade the target their account has been compromised. The crooks then convince the victim to hand over their PIN number and siphon cash from the account after collecting the card from the person’s home address.

Residents might be asked to cut their card in half or call a number printed on the back to hoodwink the target, but the fraudster keeps the line open and fools the victim into thinking they called bank staff.

The scam was widespread in Camden, with a gang swindling more than �1million from the elderly and vulnerable.

But copycat scammers have sprung up across Haringey, with a 54-year-old from Crouch End being stung by the scam to the tune of �500 on August 17.

Det Con Marysia Temple of Haringey CID said: “These are shocking offences, that are calculating in the way that they target older residents.

“If you have older family members and friends, please make sure they are aware of this scam and that they know never to hand over their PIN number to anyone, not even by typing it into a telephone keypad.

“Someone knows who is committing these crimes and I appeal to their conscience to contact us with information.”

In an emergency dial 999. In a non-emergency, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or contact your local police by dialling 101 and report the matter to your bank.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Marysia Temple on 020 8345 0831 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.