POLICE are warning people not to be taken in by conmen making phone calls about bank fraud and claiming to be police officers.

The warning comes after a member of the public from Ripon, North Yorkshire, took a call from a man claiming to be a detective who was investigating a fraud on their bank account.

He asked for bank account details - including personal identification numbers - then asked them to call back on the police non-emergency number 101, to verify his identity.

The victim’s phone call to 101 then appeared to be re-routed back to the suspects who held their line open.

However the intended victim became suspicious, refused to give any details over the phone and then contacted the real police.

Police are now warning the public not to be taken in by the scam.

“A police officer will never, ever ask for your bank account security details,” said a spokesman.

“Please don’t ever give your bank account details to anyone who calls you out of the blue. Please also wait at least five minutes and ensure you have a dialling tone before you make another call from your phone.”

Anyone who wants to report a fraud can contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk or the local police on 101.