RESIDENTS are being warned about a scam involving callers claiming to work for BT after an incident was reported.

The caller asked the victim to sit at her laptop while they checked her computer, claiming there were hackers in the area trying to access her computer.

The resident explained that she was leaving for work and did not have time, but the caller was very insistent, saying that the resident had to do it and asking if she could ring back in half an hour.

The resident said this was not possible and the caller put the phone down.

Officials have said the call was a scam and it is likely that the caller wanted access to the resident’s computer to either steal her personal information or to install ransomware and then demand payment to remove it.

Cllr Dave Cargill, Halton Council's executive board member for trading standards, said: "If you receive any calls offering to fix a problem that you didn’t know you had, don’t give the caller any details.

"Explain that on the advice of trading standards you need to check first that the call is genuine and then put the phone down.

"Wait for five minutes and then contact the company they claim to be from on the usual number you have for them.

"Do not use any numbers that the caller has given you."

If you are a BT customer and you are concerned that you may have problems with your service, you can check your account online via bt.com/mybt.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam call Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.