POLICE have issued a warning over a new computer scam which has been reported by several residents in Dorset.

Victims of the scam receive a phone call from someone claiming to be their internet service provider, saying there have been problems in the area and that their computer may be affected. The scammers ask the victim to turn on the computer and run through a list of supposed diagnostic tests.

The victim is then offered a refund for poor service. Bank details are taken and victims are asked to go to their online banking site and check the money is in the account.

At this stage a window on the computer opens and says the amount received is 10 times the amount quoted. The scammer then pretends to be panicked and say they have refunded too much and will lose their job.

They will ask the victim if there is a local post office, they will then ask if the victim can send a Moneygram to them with the difference.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Please remember not to give any bank details to cold callers or people calling claiming to be from businesses that you deal with. If you have any doubts to whether the caller is genuine then hang up and call the company using the number on correspondence or bills. If you can't verify if people are genuine, don't let them access your PC."