Police have issued a warning for householders to be vigilant following an attempted fraud in east Suffolk.

The Suffolk-wide warning has been issued after a woman from the Woodbridge area received a call from a man claiming to be from the Government Regulations Claims Department in relation to owed PPI.

The victim is in the process of making a PPI claim and so believed last Thursday's (March 14) call was genuine. She was advised that in order to receive her refund, she would need to go to Argos and obtain a £200 Steam gift card which is used for gaming.

However, once at the store, she was told by a vigilant member of staff that this was a scam and that she should call police.

Other victims of similar frauds have been asked to purchase different types of gift card, including Amazon and iTunes.

A police spokesman said: 'Suffolk Constabulary is reminding residents that government departments, banks, or any other legitimate body, 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 payment in this way.'

To keep yourself safe against scams, visit www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z Report incidents of fraud to Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 1232040.