POLICE are warning people to remain vigilant after two incidents when credit cards were stolen and the owners later tricked into handing over their personal identification numbers.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We would like to remind people to remain vigilant at all times and take all necessary steps to protect sensitive personal information. Anybody who has credit or debit cards stolen should report the matter to the police and contact their bank or credit card company as soon as possible to cancel them.

"Financial institutions and police officers will never ask for sensitive information like PINs and you should never give out this information. If you have any doubts about the veracity of a caller, take down their name and telephone number, contact the organisation they say they are from and check the call is genuine."

Information about any kind of theft or financial fraud can be passed to Greater Manchester Police on (0161) 872 5050.