WEST Mercia Police is reminding people to remain vigilant, after receiving a number of reports of scam telephone calls from residents in Bromsgrove and Redditch.

People have received calls claiming to be from HMRC, informing them that they owe several thousand pounds and face legal action if they do not pay.

The caller has then asked for personal details such as dates of birth and National Insurance numbers, before instructing people to buy hundreds of pounds worth of iTunes vouchers to settle their outstanding fees.

Officers were alerted to 11 incidents on Monday, July 17 with a further suspicious phone call being reported July 18.

One incident in Redditch was reported to police by staff at a store who became concerned for a member of public who was attempting to buy several hundred pounds worth of iTunes vouchers after receiving a scam call.

HMRC, banks and the police will never ring people in this manner or ask for personal or bank details over the phone.

If you receive a call of this type, police advise that people hang up immediately and report it on 101 using another phone.

People can also report it to Action Fraud via their website or on 0300 123 2040.

If anyone has elderly friends or relatives who may be vulnerable to this scam, please talk to them and make them aware.