ALERT Chrissie Wilkinson today warned people to be on guard against suspicious callers trying to gain bank account details over the phone.

Chrissie, of Easton, Portland, foiled an attempted theft when she challenged a caller who claimed she would be cut off unless she paid her telephone bill.

Now she has warned other people to watch out for similar scams and never to give any personal information over the telephone line.

Chrissie, 58, who is an advisor at Elite Financial and Mortgage Services in Great George Street, Weymouth, said: “The person called at 8.30pm. He said that I owed £42 to BT and that I would be disconnected at midnight unless I paid.

“The thought was crossing my mind whether I owed any money to BT after switching to Sky a couple of months ago.

“But I had paid my final bill and remember it was about £2.50.

“I was very hesitant then I said, ‘hang on I’m not with BT, I’m with Sky’.”

Chrissie added: “Then I said to him, ‘this is a hoax isn’t it’ and he hung up.”

“I then called the police.”

Chrissie said that she expected the man to ask for her bank details when she challenged him.

Chrissie dialled recall to find the caller’s number but it was withheld.

She said that at first she thought it was one of her friends or family playing a prank on her when the person called.

But she became suspicious when she didn’t recognise the voice and the caller insisted that she would be cut off.

Chrissie said: “I am very cross that people do this sort of thing but if there’s a scam to be had someone will do it. People just have to be very careful. I would advise people that if they get these calls just to say that it is not convenient to talk at that time and say you will call them back later.

“Then have a check through your own records and you can always check with your own provider.”

Dorset Police said that Chrissie informed them of the suspicious call. The force hasn’t had any similar reports but advised people to always be cautious when dealing with callers and never to give out any personal details.

Call the police on 01305 222222 with information.