The public are being urged to be on the alert for fake phone calls after a Stevenage resident was called by someone falsely claiming to be from Herts police.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvWjvsmG1t0

Yesterday someone from the town received a call where a fraudster demanded they pay a fine relating to a traffic offence.

A spokesman for Herts police has reiterated that neither the force or banks would call and ask for a cash payment, bank account details or a pin number over the phone – and they would never ask you to withdraw money or send bank cards or anything else by taxi or courier.

If you receive a call of this nature you should end the call and contact 101 – waiting at least five minutes after the suspected hoax call so you do not get reconnected to the offender who may have stayed on the line.

For more information about phone scams and how to avoid becoming a victim, visit www.herts.police.uk/PhoneScams