People in Lichfield and Burntwood are being warned to be on their guard against a new scam.
Staffordshire Police say they have seen a rise in fake calls from people pretending to be offering a telephone preference service.
The con involves getting people to sign up for a call-barring service via a one off payment. Regular direct debits are then taken without permission, with victims unable to make contact to cancel the payments.
DI Robert Harvmann, from Staffordshire Police’s fraud and financial investigation unit, said: “Always be wary of providing personal information to cold callers. Don’t confirm any personal information the caller already claims to hold as correct.
“Always be certain that you know who you are talking to. You may be pressured or demands made of you, remember, don’t panic, take five and if in doubt hang up immediately.”
People can report any incidents to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.