A SUFFOLK-wide warning has been issued by police after a spate of scam telephone calls.Officers today urged residents never to give out personal information, particularly bank details, after at least three elderly people fell victim yesterday (Sunday) to a scam phone call from a man claiming to work for a telephone company.

A SUFFOLK-wide warning has been issued by police after a spate of scam telephone calls.

Officers today urged residents never to give out personal information, particularly bank details, after at least three elderly people fell victim yesterday (Sunday) to a scam phone call from a man claiming to work for a telephone company.

Each person reported contact by a man who claimed to work for BT who had managed to get card details out of the person he had called.

Among them was a woman in her 70s from Stowupland who received a call at 8am yesterday from a man who said she had an outstanding phone bill and that she would be cut off if she didn't pay immediately.

She gave credit card details but then became suspicious and asked him to call a relative. The man called the relative and became very persistent trying to get further card details.

The relative was not fooled and contacted BT direct who said they would not contact people in this manner.

The other calls followed a similar pattern and in one case several withdrawals had been made on a card before it was cancelled.

In each case the caller had asked for key personal information including date of birth as well as card details.

Police are urging residents never to give this information out over the phone. Genuine companies will not call and ask for this information or demand that you pay a bill in this manner.

Never give out any personal details, particularly password information, card details or information that could be used to access your bank accounts.

Don't give information but try to take the name of the caller and the company they claim to work for. Then find a number for the company from a previous bill or bank statement or the phone book and call that number to check if they are genuine.

Even then you should not give out any personal information unless you are happy to do this.

Please be alert when dealing with an unsolicited calls - whether they are in person or on the phone - and never give out any information if you suspect they are not who they claim to be.