ROGUE traders were paid £1,000 to 'waterproof' a Ferndown homeowner's brickwork, police have revealed.

Officers serving with the town's neighbourhood policing team have warned residents are being targeted by fraudsters.

PCSO Kate Hann said one woman was visited by conmen and agreed to pay them money to waterproof her home.

Vigilant neighbours spotted the fraudsters arriving and challenged them before calling police. Officers were able to stop the cheque in time.

Another resident lost £20,000 to conmen who told her they represented BT.

The woman reported a fault before someone claiming to work for BT returned her call. During the course of a two-hour call, the fake employee managed to get the details of the victim's bank accounts before stealing money.

PCSO Hann also warned that residents are still begin targeted by fraudsters who say they will refund PPI.

The offenders tell their victims to buy iTunes vouchers.

"No reputable company will accept any sort of payment in these vouchers," PCSO Hann said.