A WARNING has been issued after people were contacted by scammers using an official police phone number.

Officers in Nelson say they have been made aware of incidents in the last few days where members of the public have been contacted by people who claim to be working for a special branch in the police.

They are then asking people to transfer money into a bank account and provide bank details. A spokesman said: "The telephone number being used is 01282 472441. Alarmingly this number is actually a Lancashire Neighbourhood Policing Voicemail number that we readily provide the community with in order for you to contact local officers. Lancashire Police will not call you from this number nor will we ever ask you to provide bank details or ask to you to transfer money into other accounts."