A SCAM to con householders out of their bank details has been uncovered by fraud squad officers on Teesside.

Conmen, pretending to work for utility firms, are tricking people into handing over their bank account number to pay an overdue bill.

The information is then used to illegally purchase goods.

Sergeant Dawn Naughton, of the Cleveland Police fraud squad, said: "In some instances, a caller will ring up, stating the householder hasn't paid their utility bill, and ask for bank details over the phone to pay the outstanding amount. In other cases, someone has knocked on the door, with a similar story.

"Once they have the details, large sums of cash have been withdrawn from the bank-older's account - often using a 'card not present' system, either over the telephone or Internet, to make their purchases.

"Sometimes, a disused building is used as a 'mail drop' for delivery of their purchases or, alternatively, a property has been rented for a month, using false details, so they can take delivery of the goods."

Police are urging people to check with the company the caller says they represent before handing over any bank details.