Elderly woman in Cumbria scammed out of £1,000

12 similar incidents are said to have happened in the same day Credit: PA

An elderly woman, from Whitehaven, has been scammed out of £1,000.

The incident happened after the woman, in her late 80s, received a phone call which appeared to be from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The on-going scam involves callers claiming to be from HMRC, and tricking people into buying iTunes vouchers.

The caller states that prosecution action will take place unless a payment is made.

The trick phonecall took place yesterday, where the woman later bought £1,000 worth of the music vouchers in one of the town's supermarkets.

The scam appears to be one of many, as police report being contacted by a Carlisle supermarket, where 12 similar requests had been made in one day.

The potential victims were discouraged from handing over any money.

Cumbria Constabulary said:

Anyone who comes across such a scam should contact Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.org.uk or contact the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300 123 2040.