A HASLINGDEN councillor has warned people to be aware of a telephone scam being carried out on UK citizens by criminals in the Dominican Republic.

Police said the scammers leave a polite voicemail message asking the receiver to call them back as soon as possible.

The numbers are prefixed with 0809, 0284 or 0876 and carry large charges.

Coun Granville Morris said: “My advice to people is not to give personal information by email, or by telephone calls, on unsolicited communications.

”I suggest you must note the telephone number down you are given. But do not contact the telephone number you have been asked to contact. Report this to the police as soon as possible.”

Keith Sandham, Pennine watch liaison officer, said: “If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved.

“They will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company.

“You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

“Please be careful.”