A HOLLESLEY woman is today warning others to be on their guard after falling prey to conmen who tricked her into giving out her bank details.Thieves tricked Charlene Church, of Boyton Road, into giving them her PIN number before wiping out her bank account.

A HOLLESLEY woman is today warning others to be on their guard after falling prey to conmen who tricked her into giving out her bank details.

Thieves tricked Charlene Church, of Boyton Road, into giving them her PIN number before wiping out her bank account.

Miss Church received a phone call at work by a man claiming to be from the HSBC bank, in Ipswich.

During the course of the call the man asked her for her pin number and only after the call did she realise her purse had been stolen.

The offender then withdrew £415 from her bank account.

Miss Church said: "The call from a man claiming to be from my bank came through from the reception staff at work. He said he was worried about suspicious activity on my account and asked me loads of security questions. One of which was my PIN number. He then said he would call back in 45 minutes to tell what was happening."

Shortly after the call Miss Church checked her bag and realised her purse was missing.

She believes it was taken when her bag was hanging in the laundry room at Ufford Park, Yarmouth Road, Melton, where she works as a housekeeper.

The purse, containing cash and cards, was taken between 7.15am and 10am on Wednesday.

Miss Church added: "It made me feel horrible. I have lost sleep over the whole ordeal. I just can't believe anybody would do such a thing.

"I have definitely learnt my lesson and would warn everybody to be careful and not to disclose that sort of information. I just hope I will get justice from it because it doen't look like I will get the money back from the bank."

Police are investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to call Pc Thompson at Woodbridge on 01473 613500.

Police are also reminding people never to disclose their personal bank details - and particularly their PIN number - to anyone under these circumstances. Genuine bank staff will never ask you to disclose your PIN number.

Have you been a victim of a similar crime? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk