Trading Standards officers in Hartlepool say they have received numerous complaints.

The phone call offering the cheap rates lasts 5-6 minutes and includes a request for bank or credit card details.

BT stressed that it does not cold call and would never ask for bank details.

Brian Dinning, senior technical officer with Hartlepool Council Trading Standards, said: "People need to be very wary when receiving unsolicited mail or telephone calls and under no circumstances should they reveal personal or bank details to anyone.

"Scams such as this are now part of our everyday life, and unfortunately little can be done at a local level as many originate from overseas."