Sutton trading standards has issued a warning about two new phishing scams.

Conmen who claim to be working for British Gas are sending out emails trying to convince people to part with valuable personal details,after telling customers that they are due a refund of £732.80, and need a copy of a driver’s licence or passport plus the victim’s name and address in order to release the cash.

A similar scam, alleging to be from a member of staff at Revenue and Customs, tells victims they are due a tax rebate of £244.79 and provides a link to a page asking for bank details.

The scammers also provide a link to the real HMRC website, a trick which has already caused thousands of people to believe that the email is genuine.

Councillor Simon Wales, council spokesman on community safety, said: “Online fraudsters are becoming more and more sophisticated, so it’s more important then ever to stay vigilant while on the web.”

The scams come as Belmont & South Cheam residents association chairman Peter Mattey warned some 20 people in his area.

For more information, or if you think that you have been contacted by fraudsters, call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.