Flood victims targeted by bank account fraudsters

Families in Streetly today revealed how money had been stolen from their accounts after bank details were washed away in the flood waters.

The clean-up is still under way for more than 90 households on the Blackwood Road estate.

A water main connected to Barr Beacon Reservoir burst more than a week ago. As well as losing their bank details, residents said they werealso the target of metal thieves. Craig Bullock, aged 41, a mechanic, and his wife Zoe, 40, of Whitethorn Crescent, were among the worst affected.

Mr Bullock said his bank documents were washed out of his house during the flood and he found out days later that more than £1,500 was taken from his account.

"People have used sensitive information about me that was washed out of the house to defraud me," he added. "The bank has been really good and is repaying it, but that's not the point."

West Midlands Police said today it had responded to reports of people in the area acting suspiciously and had stepped up patrols.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.