A WARNING was issued this week for West Somerset residents to beware a ‘convincing’ new type of telephone bank scam.

It follows an early morning call received by a former district councillor to notify her of a ‘payment request’ made on her bank account.

Unlike many other such scams, the voice on the end of the line was said to be ‘sophisticated, educated, convincing’.

The former councillor told the Free Press: “It was the most convincing scam call I have had.

“I have had lots of calls before, you would think I owe thousands of pounds to Amazon and I am nearly bankrupt, etc.

“But this is a new round of bank scams.

“People should be warned, do not press any buttons.”