BRITISH Telecom today warned of a con they believe is being used to dupe customers.

East Lancashire residents have reported receiving calls from people claiming to be from the telecommunication giant and asking for bank details.

But BT today warned customers against issuing confidential information and said the issue had caused "concern".

Three elderly residents in Blackburn have been targeted over the last week.

A 76-year-old, of Park Lee Road, who declined to be named said the salesman had offered him his next month's calls half price and free line rental. He then asked for the BT bill number, name and bank details.

He said: "I was told that because I had been a customer for so long there was a special offer for me but when they asked for my bank details I hung up.

"They rang me back later but I just told them to leave me alone but it does make you angry."

Two residents from Sahara Fold sheltered accommodation, Warden Gardens, were also asked for their bank account numbers.

Sheila Walsh said: "A man said to me there was a new offer going on offering a month of calls for £5 and asked for my BT account details, date of birth. When he asked for bank details I just thought what do you need that for so I hung up."

Edna Mary Smith added: "I was contacted by a female with a foreign accent. She offered half price BT calls and was claiming to be a new company."

But a spokesperson for BT said: "We do not believe the calls were from BT and this can be checked by dialling 1471. If it was a BT representative an 0800 number would be recorded.

"We would not ask for bank details in this way and must remind customers to think carefully before they do so."

The telecommunications watchdog Oftel said they were not aware of a major problem nationwide and concluded that the problem could be local.