Police have issued a fresh warning over fraudsters targeting vulnerable residents with a voucher scam.

Detectives said there have been at least two incidents in recent weeks where people have lost money through the re-emergence of a common fraud tactic.

Action Fraud - the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre – says fraudsters use gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on.

The scammers do not need the physical card to redeem the value and get victims to read out the serial code on the back over the phone.

The latest incidents have seen a fraudster call a Workington woman and persuade her to pay using iTunes vouchers for work on her phone line to be carried out. The woman bought vouchers worth £350, while another scam saw Amazon vouchers worth £150 bought from a shop in Cockermouth.

Detective sergeant Stephanie Goulding said: “If you get this type of unexpected call, where you are asked to transfer money or hand over vouchers, hang up immediately and contact Action Fraud.

“We also ask any people with elderly relatives and neighbours to share the message with them.

“It is often the most vulnerable in our society that these criminals target.

“We need to all ensure they know enough to be confident against these scammers.”

Other scam calls have seen someone contact residents falsely claiming to be from the Serious Fraud Office in London and enquiring about supposed fraudulent transactions on a credit card.

They will ask for the resident to call back immediately on161 to confirm details.

The initial caller does not end the call, making the resident believe they have contacted the Serious Fraud Office.

A police spokesman said: “Do not re-contact on telephone 161, residents will not be speaking to a Serious Fraud Office.

“Do not give any personal, credit or bank details over the phone.”

Peter McCall, Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, added: “I strongly echo the warning from the constabulary to be wary of anyone offering services over the phone and especially when asking for any kind of exchange with vouchers or giving bank details.

“What is so despicable about criminals who use these methods is that they will often target vulnerable people and especially the elderly, frightening them into paying up.

“Please do be very careful of any random callers and I would ask everyone to watch out for and warn their elderly neighbours.

“If in doubt hang up and report the call.”

If you are a victim of fraud and need an immediate police response, call 999.

If it is a non-emergency situation, call police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.