Police say they have dealt with two cases in the last week in which scammers took a total of £30,000 from bank accounts.

The constabulary said the number of such scams increases in the run-up to Christmas.

Inspector Gavin Callow said they were happening on a regular basis in the island.

He said: ’The criminals use people’s vulnerabilities to target them but anyone can be targeted due to being vulnerable.

’This was just a normal week, sometimes more money is lost.’

Police held an advice session in Barclays on Victoria Street on Friday as part of week-long initiative.

Frauds can take a variety of forms such as a so-called ’romance’ scam, when someone befriends you and then asks for money.

In one case recently, a victim took a call from a man on a private number, who stated he had found a note on his car after a collision.

The fraudster then asked for full details including the name of the insurance company.

Police in Ramsey say they have had a report of harassing ’phishing’ phone calls from fraudsters who are claiming to be calling from Aviva Insurance.

A police spokesman posted: ’An unsolicited phone call is very likely to be a scam call, trying to obtain personal information.

’It doesn’t matter what the person says or how pleasant or authoritative they sound.’

Police said they are also aware of parcel collection cards that have been popped through letter boxes. The aim of the scam is to get you to ring the premium rate number.

Local delivery firms will use recognised numbers and their cards won’t have a UK stamp.