Residents are being warned over fake emails which claim free power tools will be given away.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, has received 3,568 reports about scam emails impersonating home improvement brands, such as Homebase.

The emails claim to be giving away various DeWalt products, such as drills and backpacks.

The links in the emails lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

A spokesperson for Action Fraud said: “If you have doubt about a message, contact the organisation directly.

“Don’t use the numbers or address in the message – use the details from their official website.

“Your bank or any other official source will never ask you to supply personal information via email.”

If anyone has spotted a suspicious email, they are asked to forward it on to report@phishing.gov.uk.

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