Evil scammers are preying on peoples' Coronavirus fears to get them to reveal their bank details over the phone.

Police have warned of the scam in Ascot, after a friend received a phone call claiming to come from the NHS 'test and trace' service, telling them they needed to be tested.

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The caller asked for a bank card number to cover a £50 charge, saying: "There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me please, when you're ready."

When the intended victim challenged this, the caller said: "Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying."

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The friend didn't comply and put the phone down.

The first line of the telephone scam went as followed: "‘Good afternoon I'm calling from the NHS test and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test."

Police are warning vulnerable residents to 'just put the phone down' if you get a call like this.