SCAMMERS are continuing to target Dorset residents with a telephone hoax to gain access to bank accounts.

Dorset Police have received four reports today of the scam and is advising the public to be vigilant.

The force first warned residents of the fraud last month.

A force spokesman said: “It has been reported that telephone calls have been received from a person purporting to be a detective constable from the Metropolitan Police.

“They were told that a person known to them was in custody that had their bank details or had taken money from their accounts. The caller asks them to confirm their identity and in some cases asks them to hang up re-dial 999.”

In all of the incidents the victims did not comply with the caller and instead notified the police.

The spokesman added: "Telephone bank scams similar to this have been occurring nationally with people being defrauded of thousands of pounds.

“Dorset Police would like to warn members of the public that these scams are continuing across the county and to call the police to report any such suspicious calls.”

Full crime prevention advice can be found on the Dorset Police website dorset.police.uk