Police in the Dereham area are urging residents to be vigilant to potential scammers after a fraud incident.

A Yaxham resident reported the incident to police on Friday, July 17, informing them she received a phone call from a woman telling her she had a cheque for thousands of pounds waiting for her due to the misselling of PPI.

She was advised a man would bring the cheque round to her address once she was able to raise £170 in Ukash vouchers.

The victim was then told that if she obtained these vouchers, she would then be given a phone number to call to speak to a solicitor who would pass on a security code that would allow the money to be released.

On going to her local post office to collect the Ukash vouchers, she was advised that the call was a scam.

PCSO Michala Benton, of Dereham Police Station, said: 'This is a PPI scam that preys on the vulnerable to try and con them into handing over money for a larger reward and as ever, we would urge people never to pass on their money or bank details if they're not sure where it's going.

'The woman who reported this scam to us was not the first to go to Toftwood Post Office with this kind of incident in recent weeks and we would very much advise anyone who thinks that they may have received this correspondence to get in touch with Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.'

For more information on how to recognise and help protect yourself from fraud can be found on the Action Fraud website www.actionfraud.police.uk.