Telephone scammers claiming to be from 'Wycombe Council' have been targeting residents across the district, the real authority has warned.

Wycombe District Council says reports have come in from residents about the con over the last week.

WDC says the scammers are calling from both withheld numbers and a number with a 01273 prefix (Brighton), saying that they are calling from ‘Wycombe Council’ or ‘Wycombe Town Council’.

They falsely inform the resident that they have been given their phone number by NHS Direct.

The scammers ask if the person they are speaking to has had an accident in the last two years, or if a family member has had an accident.

In one of these calls, the scammers asked the resident for their bank account details.

Residents answering any call like this are advised not to answer any questions and to end the conversation immediately.

Similar scam alerts have been reported by Dorchester Town Council in recent weeks after residents there also received similar calls.

WDC says it, or any other council, would never request bank details by phone, email or at the door.

If the scammers have given you information which may help trace them, or if you have any information about these incidents, please report it to Thames Valley Police on 101 or to WDC on 01494 4610000.