POLICE are warning residents to be on their guard over a text message scam.

Fraudsters are sending out messages purporting to be from NatWest that lead to websites harvesting personal banking information.

The fraudsters are using specialist software which alters the sender ID on the message so that it appears as though it’s come from NatWest, adding it to any existing message threads on the recipient’s phone.

Mark Jones, PCSO for Sherborne rural, said: “If you already bank with NatWest and had a legitimate message from them in the past this could easily catch you out.

“It seems to be targeting individuals regardless of whether they are customers of NatWest or not.

He added: “If you click on the link you’ll be taken to an exact replica of the NatWest website that asks for sensitive personal information including full name, address, contact details, PIN and debit card numbers. This is known as Smishing.”

Smishing is when criminals pretend a message is from your bank or another organisation and tell you there has been fraud on your account. They will ask you to deal with it by calling a number or visiting a fake website to update your personal details.

For more information visit actionfraud.police.uk