TRADING standards watchdogs are warning residents about an iTunes telephone scam which is currently operating locally.

A number of residents have reported receiving automated voicemails from fraudsters pretending to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) asking for payment of debts or taxes using iTunes Gift Cards.

The scam appears to be targeting older people in St Helens and involves a recorded message being left, allegedly from HMRC.

It states that HMRC are bringing a lawsuit against the individual and is going to sue them.

The recipient is asked to phone back and press ‘1’ to speak to the officer dealing with the case.

The fraudsters ask for payment in iTunes voucher codes as they can be easily redeemed or sold on.

The scammers don't need the actual card to redeem the value of the gift card and instead get victims to read out the serial code over the phone.

iTunes Gift Cards are solely for the purchase of goods and services on the iTunes Store and App Store.

Should residents receive a request for payment using iTunes Gift Cards outside of iTunes and the App Store, Trading Standards advice is to report it to Action Fraud.

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, Cabinet Member for Green, Smart and Sustainable Borough, said: “HMRC will never contact you and ask for payment in this way.

If you do receive such a voicemail do not under any circumstances reply to it, instead report the matter to Action Fraud.

“Residents should be on their guard when dealing with any doorstep callers, unsolicited phone calls and mail.

"They should listen to their gut feelings – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Anyone who is concerned that they or someone they know is being scammed should get advice and warn others to help stop the spread of scams.”

According to trading standards, the bogus phone calls are a new development by the scammers who regularly use email and texts posing as HMRC.

These promise a tax rebate, with the conmen behind them trying to trick victims into handing over their bank account or credit card details.

Residents are reminded that HMRC never contacts customers who are due a tax rebate in this way – a letter is always sent through the post.

To report fraud call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.