On Saturday my friend in Forest Hill got a call claiming to be from the 'fraud squad' at her bank, saying that someone was buying items on her debit card and having them delivered elsewhere. He urged her for her own peace of mind to ring her bank's main number and ask for a particular extension before he gave her more details. So she put down the phone, dialled her usual internet banking numbing, quoted the extension and went through all her security questions.

Then the man on the phone said she would have to hand over her card, and sent someone to collect it. She thought it slightly odd but agreed because she was sure she was speaking to her bank.

What she didn't know was that when she put the phone down and picked it up again, the fraudster was still connected (because he had rung her originally) and playing a recording of a dialling tone down the phone! So after she dialled, he just carried on talking and collected her mother's maiden number, date of birth and other useful information as well as her card. He then drew out £500.

Very simple but brilliant, in a horrible sort of way.