Elderly residents in Exmouth are being targeted by fraudsters trying to get them to purchase iTunes vouchers on their behalf, the police say.

According to officers, they have received a report of an elderly man in the town who came close to being a victim of the scam.

Police say these fraudsters are contacting people claiming to be organisations such as HM Revenue and Customs or a solicitor and then tricking their victims into paying ‘bogus’ debts by buying iTunes vouchers.

Exmouth inspector Antonia Weeks said the elderly Exmouth man was saved from being the latest victim of the scheme when a store assistant raised concerns over the amount of money he was spending on the vouchers.

She said: “The fraudsters don’t need the physical card to redeem the value; instead they get the victim to call them back and read out the serial code over the phone.

“On this occasion the store assistant was concerned the victim was trying to purchase such a large value of iTunes vouchers. They advised the victim it could be a scam and called the police. Well done them.

“The HMRC or other reputable organisation would never request debts or taxes to be paid in iTunes vouchers.

“If you or anyone you know receives such a request by phone, text or email, then end the call immediately.”

Inspector Weeks also said that elderly people in particular are being targeted and asked that anyone with elderly friends or relatives advises them not to respond to any random requests for money.

To report a fraud and receive a crime reference number call Action Fraud on 0300123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk