HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned about a new scam aimed at gaining bank account details of innocent victims.

The ruse,which involves the delivery of "a gift" - usually alcohol - which requires the payment of an admin fee has seen some victims lose £1,000s.

The scam involves a phone call from a bogus courier firm where the operative claims a parcel is due to be deliver to the address that day and will require a signature.

When delivered, the parcel - either flowers or more commonly wine - requires payment of a £3.50 admin fee to prove it has been delivered to an adult.

A card payment is taken via machine and a receipt is given, but days later the victim discovered additional funds have been withdrawn from their account.

Said one victim, who lost £4,000: “It appeared that somehow the mobile credit card machine which the deliveryman carried had all the info necessary to create a dummy card with all our details after my husband swiped our card and entered the requested PIN and security number.

Dyfed Powys Police’s Financial Crime Team is advising members of the public to be wary that they do not fall foul of a latest ‘trickster scam’. "Criminals are contacting members of the public to tell them they have won a free bottle of wine in a prize," said a force spokesman.

"However when the wine is delivered the prize winner is expected to pay a small sum by bank card as proof of age.

"Armed with the bank card details the criminals are emptying the victim’s bank account."

DI Anthony Evans said: “Members of the public, particularly the elderly, must remain vigilant of such scams to ensure that they don’t unwittingly become a victim.”

Anyone who is suspicious of such scams, or has been a victim of such a scam is urged to call police on 101.