POLICE in Dorset are warning residents about a scam involving people pretending to be officers from London.

Several members of the public have reported that they have received a telephone call from someone claiming to be a police officer.

The 'officer' then says that police have arrested someone trying to use the person's bank account details fraudulently.

However, a spokesperson for Dorset Police has warned that this is a scam.

"Do not carry out any instructions given by the bogus police officer.

"The bogus police officer will ask the victim to hang up and call their bank. If the victim does so, they will be talking to the fraudster, or an accomplice on the same line, as they will not have disconnected their end of the call. The fraudsters will ask for bank account details: this is the purpose of the scam.

"If you are still uncertain and concerned, hang up anyway and use a different phone to call your bank using a number you know to be correct - they won’t mind."

People are also reminded that the police would never make a call of this nature, so do not engage with the fraudster, just hang up the phone.

Never give bank details over the phone, and if you want to give your bank a call after one of these phone calls, always use a different phone line to do so.

To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk