GWENT residents are being warned of a scam in which victims are unwittingly giving out their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to credit card thieves.

Police say the con involves the thief telephoning the victim after they have stolen their credit card in a burglary.

Detectives believe the cards are often taken during raids in which the offender finds documentation to find the cardholder's telephone number.

During a telephone call the day after the raid, the thief claims to be from a security firm that has been advised by police the card has been stolen.

The offender then requests the PIN number to proceed with the cancellation of the card.

Gwent Police say the owner of the credit card may then decide not to cancel their card because they think the security company has already done so.

Officers say there have been a number of these scams in Gwent that have allowed the thieves to use the credit card in cash machines.

Inspector Allyn Richards, of Gwent Police, said: "Banks will never contact their customers and request details such as PIN numbers over the phone.

"If this occurs we would urge people not to give out their details.

"Instead, they should contact us as soon as possible.

"Credit card fraud is common in today's society and we would urge people to take care of their purses and wallets.

"Do not leave them at the top of handbags or in an unattended jacket, even if you think you are in a safe location. Thieves will enter any environment to steal, including the workplace."

Gwent Police is urging people to contact their local police station on 01633 838111 if they believe they have been the victim of such a scam.