POLICE have warned residents to be aware of a phone scam after an elderly resident was asked to buy iTunes vouchers from the nearest Tesco as reparation for ‘unpaid tax’.

Fearing that he would be arrested, the man attended Bolton Central Police Station in Scholey Street to report the incident.

The call was received from the phone number 02033895932 – and many more people online are reporting that they have received similar calls in the last few days.

A spokesman on the GMP Bolton North Facebook page said: “An elderly male attended Bolton Central Police Station today of his own accord and explained that he was worried about being arrested, having received a phone call from a male on 02033895932 purporting to be from the Inland Revenue.

“The caller was saying that he owed almost £1,000 in tax and if he didn’t pay immediately a warrant would be issued for his arrest.

“They have explained that he cannot pay by any means other than iTunes vouchers, and he must attend the nearest Tesco and buy them.

“He was told to leave the line open and, having bought them, to read out the voucher codes and someone would be round to collect them. Luckily he was refused service and hasn’t tried again.”

Others online have reported the same scam over previous days.

Website whosenumberisthis.co.uk lists dozens of people reporting similar bogus phone calls.

One wrote on February 8: “Both my father and I had a call from this number this morning. My 80-year-old father was panic stricken about being taken to court. It's absolutely disgusting and I'll be doing everything possible to get it stopped.”

Another user on the same day wrote: “My elderly mum had a call from them, threatening her with being prosecuted. She just hung up the phone. Best way to deal with these scumbags. How they can get away with it I don't know.”