FRAUD experts are warning residents in Ceredigion to beware following a spate of bogus calls.

Ceredigion County Council is warning residents to beware of scam phone calls from people posing as representatives of banks, credit card companies, creditors, or government departments to get people to reveal their account numbers and other sensitive information.

The council has received reports of these callers in the area, which appear to be calling from local numbers including 01239, 01970, 01545, 01570, 01559 and 01267.

Experts from the council advise residents to never give out personal information in response to an incoming call, or rely on the caller ID as the sole means of identification, particularly if the caller asks you to carry out an action which might have financial consequences.

If someone rings asking for information, residents are urged to hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government department’s website to check whether the call was genuine, after waiting for at least five minutes before making the call - this ensures the line has cleared and you’re not still speaking to the fraudster or an accomplice.

If anyone thinks they have been a victim of a bogus phone call, they are urged to call Action Fraud on (0300 123 2040) or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. If a card, cheque or online banking is involved, contact the bank or credit card company first.

If you think something may be a scam, e-mail [email protected] or phone the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 (English language service) or 03454 04 05 05 (Welsh language service), who can pass details of the case on to Trading Standards.