Police are warning residents to be vigilant to cold callers claiming to be from HMRC following an incident in the Breckland area.

It comes after officers were called yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 5 June 2018, to an incident involving a victim, aged in her 70s, in Dereham.

As part of the scam suspects make cold telephone calls to vulnerable residents, claiming to be from HMRC stating the person owes money and that they will be fined further unless the debt is paid through the purchase of a gift card.

In this incident, suspects instructed the resident to purchase iTunes vouchers from a supermarket and arranged to call back at a later time to obtain the details of the gift voucher.

No cash or vouchers were handed over, but police are still keen to urge residents to be vigilant to such scams.

Norfolk Police are reminding residents that HMRC will never make phone calls, use text messages or email to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty and will never ask for a cash payment in this way.

Anyone with concerns about such calls should contact Norfolk Police on the non-emergency number 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.