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

Dorset Police received four reports yesterday 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 and had their bank details or had taken money from their accounts.

“The caller then asks them to confirm their identity.”