POLICE and trading standards officers have warned shoppers to be on their guard after a spate of frauds.

People in the Blackburn area are urged to look after their credit and debit cards and receipts after a number of cardholders found purchases that they knew nothing about appearing on their bank statements.

One victim was Jean Dunston of Mill Hill who found a debit for £30 worth of pre-paid mobile phone vouchers on her bank statement -- even though she doesn't own a pre-pay phone.

She now plans to get rid of her debit card to ensure she doesn't fall victim to fraudsters again.

She said: "When I reported it to the bank and police they said somebody may have got hold of my card number and expiry date to buy these vouchers on my card."

Police said there was a spate of similar frauds in the Blackburn area about six months ago.

DC Martin Kennedy of Blackburn CID said: "We had a problem where people were rummaging in bins at petrol stations to find people's debit and credit card receipts.

"These sometimes had the card numbers on them and criminals were using them to buy all sorts of goods over the phone and even ordering replacement cards.

"A lot of credit card companies have realised this now and prevented their machines from printing out the whole credit card numbers.

"But some still do so I would urge people to take good care of their cards and be careful when disposing of their receipts."

Chris Allen, Blackburn with Darwen Council's Chief Trading Standards officer, said: "We would always advise shoppers to be careful when using their cards and always check any documentation they are asked to sign for a purchase."