DORSET Police are investigating reports of someone purporting to be from the police asking for money.

The offender is said to be calling people pretending to be from the police or a publisher of a magazine endorsed by the force.

People are asked for money to support the magazine or for advertising space in it.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police do not call in order to request money for magazines or advertisements.

“Any representative from Dorset Police should be able to state their full name, job role if real and give their contact details.

“They should also give the person they are calling the option to call them back through the main Dorset Police switch board to authenticate their call.

“If you are suspicious of a call of this nature and are unable to authenticate it you are advised not to give out any personal details, bank details or funds.”

Dorset Police are asking people or businesses who are suspicious about a cold call to get as much detail as possible from the suspected tricksters to help officers identify them and their associates.

Anyone who has any information should call Dorset Police on 101.