Herts Police are warning Hitchin residents over a NatWest bank counterfeit currency scam.

Officers are urging people to be cautious regarding fraudsters calling local people claiming to be from a police station.

The scammers state a particular branch of bank - in the latest example, NatWest in Hitchin - is giving out counterfeit currency.

They claim to be carrying out an investigation into that particular bank branch and that they want your help.

They ask you to withdraw a sum of money from the branch so you can pass it over to them for the investigation.

They also warn you that the staff in the bank will ask you particular questions and advise you on how to answer them.

Herts Police explained: "At some point, the fraudster suggests that you can phone them back at the police station to check that this call is genuine.

"When you call back, you get straight through to the person you were just speaking to because they have held the line open."

Tips to avoid being a victim of this kind of scam

Police will NEVER ask anyone to take part in an investigation in this way

If you have received an unsolicited call from anyone and are unsure about it, hang up and ring a friend. If the call goes straight back to the person you were just speaking to, they have held the line open and are absolutely trying to defraud you.