POLICE are warning people to be vigilant after two elderly men were targeted by scammers.

A man in Darras Hall purchased £300 worth of Google Play Cards on Monday after he received a phone call telling him he had to buy them to pay tax he owed to HMRC – or face arrest.

It came on the same day that police received a report that a man in the Corbridge area had been visited by two men who quoted him £4,000 to have a driveway cleaned. The victim gave the men £300 in cash and was told to write two cheques for the remaining amount, but to leave the 'pay to' box blank.

One of the men was described as having an Irish accent. 

Neighbourhood inspector Pam Bridges believed the criminals were purposely targeting those who were vulnerable.

She said: "Protecting those who are vulnerable in our community is the absolute priority and we will be taking every action to find those responsible.
"If anyone in the Darras Hall and Corbridge areas have received any similar contact with the same motives, they are asked to contact police immediately. Be sure to contact your bank immediately if you think a fraudulent transaction has been made."