RESIDENTS are being warned of scammers who are making phone calls pretending to be police officers.

Dorset Police has received reports in the last few months from members of the public in the Dorchester area who have received calls from people purporting to be police officers.

The scammer then goes on to claim they are calling because the person's bank account 'has been compromised'.

A spokesman said: "The supposed police officers give their name, a collar number (they have called it a badge number on occasion), a police station, will say something about your bank account being compromised, you can help catch them and will then ask for your bank details.

"They talk about transferring it to a safe account or ask you to withdraw some money and a police officer will collect it."

The caller will then try to rush the person on the other end of the line into a decision, a spokesman said. 

They added: "They will say this is urgent and it needs to be done now and it can’t wait. All of this is a scam.

"Every time you answer the phone be it a landline or mobile unless you know the caller, please stop, think, take five minutes.

"The police will never ask you to do anything like this, nor will the bank or other organisations.

"Never rush into anything you have been asked of by someone phoning you.

"Please put the phone down and speak with a family member, neighbour or a person you trust.

"You can also call the police on either 101 (non-emergency), 999 (emergency) or online via Do it Online: www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/"