POLICE are warning people in Helensburgh to be on the alert for doorstep cold callers after reports of bogus workers claiming to be putting in broadband on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council.

According to police, one cold caller asked a resident for an up-front payment of £200 and an ongoing monthly payment of £20, which they would return and collect.

One resident contacted the council who advised they have nothing to do with supplying broadband and had no workers in the area.

Police say that in another case reported in Argyll and Bute, a man wearing a lanyard and claiming saying he worked for money-saving expert Martin Lewis was going door-to-door asking residents if they knew what wifi cable they had, as work was being carried out on cables in the area.

He asked to look at their phone or tablet to “check the wifi cable”.

Constable Laura Evans, Police Scotland’s partnership officer for Argyll and Bute, said: “There have also been reports of cold callers who claim to be from BT saying they have received complaints about the internet speed in the area.

“In one case, they asked to enter a house to do a speed check. They later contacted BT who confirmed there were no staff in the area.”

Police say residents should always verify the identity of a cold caller before dealing with them.

If they claim to work for a company, close the door, and phone the company through a number you know to be true – either from a bill, statement or their official website. Legitimate callers will be happy to wait.

Never feel obliged to answer the door to a cold caller.

If you believe the person is a scammer, please contact police on 999.

If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, call police and your bank immediately.