Lincolnshire Police are warning people to be vigilant and reminding them never to give their personal or financial details over the phone to cold callers.

This follows an increase in reports of telephone cold callers purporting to be from utility companies in Lincolnshire.

The call usually starts with a fraudster alleging to work for a utility company. They will then claim that the victim has an outstanding balance on their account that needs to be paid and that it needs to be paid immediately in order to resolve the issue.

Although the losses reported so far have been small amounts (£22), once the victim's card details have been provided, the fraudsters will use the information gathered to make high value payments elsewhere and defraud the victim.

The Force are therefore urging residents not to give their details over the phone if they receive a call asking them to make immediate payment to a utility company such as water, gas or electricity.

Instead, police are advising people to contact the company directly using a verified telephone number and to query their account that way.

They also want to remind people that genuine companies won't cold call out of the blue.

For more information on how to stay safe from fraud, visit Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.