SCAM artists have managed to steal more than £700 from homes and businesses in Worcester in the last 24 hours.

Four different addresses have reported being contacted by a person claiming to be from BT since lunchtime yesterday.

The bogus BT officials call and claim residents owe the company money and they are at risk of having their telephone line cut off.

They then say they will send an engineer to the house.

In the first instance, which happened at 1.15pm yesterday in Dace Road, Broomhall, the resident’s bank card was stolen by the engineer while she went to get the phone.

She later discovered £250 missing from her account.

A second incident happened in Kestrel Drive at about 1.40pm, although in this case it is still not clear how much money was taken.

Police arrested two men yesterday afternoon in connection with the incidents. They remain in police custody at Worcester Police Station while enquiries continue.

Two further, similar, incidents have been reported to police today, but the scam is only over the telephone in these cases.

This time, victims were asked to pay the outstanding amount over the phone.

Tolladine Service Station was scammed out of £460, but another Worcester business refused to pay over the phone and avoided losing any money.

Police are now warning people to be extra cautious.

A police spokesperson said: “These incidents are obviously of concern and we would like to warn people of the nature of this scam urgently.

“Anyone in any doubt over the identity of a caller either to their home or over the phone should never let them in or hand any bank details over.

“Always ask for identification and call the company they say they are from to corroborate the details if needed. If they are a genuine caller they will not mind anyone doing this.”

Anyone who think they may have been a victim of this scam should call police immediately on 0300 333 3000, quoting 263/S/110211.