Police are warning residents in Gloucestershire to please be vigilant after reports of a number of HMRC scam calls.

It's been reported that a number of individuals have received a call to be greeted with an automated message that claimed to be from HM Revenue and Customs.

In one incident, a woman from Stroud received a call with an automated message which stated that there was a warrant for her arrest due to unpaid taxes.

The automated message then stated that the woman needed to press a number of keys on the phone to resolve the matter and fortunately she ended the call before reporting it to us.

If you receive any calls of this type we advise that you put the phone down straight away and do not follow instructions from the message.

Please can this information be shared with elderly relatives, neighbours and friends so that those who are most likely to be targeted are aware that this is taking place.

If you suspect that you may have been the victim of fraud please report this to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-a-fraud-including-online-crime 

Advice from staying safe against scams and fraud can be found here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/staying-safe/staying-safe-against-scams-or-fraud/ 

Fraud can also be reported to police by calling 101 or 999 if the incident is ongoing.