BOGUS callers have been contacting unsuspecting people in Cheltenham, pretending to offer anything from debt advice to tips on dealing with accident claims.
Bosses at Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and Tewkesbury Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have warned people not to give up their details to cold callers claiming to work for the organisation.
The message has been backed up by community leaders who branded the fraudsters "despicable" for preying on vulnerable people in need of advice on issues such as housing, debt or employment.
A spokesman for the Cheltenham CAB said: "Recently imposters have been cold calling, claiming they are from Citizens Advice and offering help with accident claims.
"Beware – no CAB advisers, or anyone connected with CAB would ever contact a member of the public with a cold call.
"We will always do our best to help with free, impartial, independent and confidential information and advice, on any problem you may have.
"However, we would never call you out of the blue with gratuitous advice."
Borough councillor Peter Jeffries, cabinet member for housing and safety, hit out at the culprits responsible for the scam.
He said: "Clearly this sort of criminal activity which is targeting people who are trying to access important services, such as advice on housing, employment and debt, is despicable.
"I would urge anyone who feels they are being targeted to contact CAB and the police."
The warning has prompted police to issue advice on what to do if you suspect a cold caller is fraudulent – including conducting rigorous checks on a caller's credentials.
Police spokesman Simon Masters said: "We would like to take this opportunity to urge the community to contact police immediately if they are suspicious of people calling at their house.
"We would much rather receive calls of suspicious circumstances that turn out to be legitimate than see residents of Gloucestershire become victims of bogus callers."
