A parcel delivery scam has been uncovered by Canterbury police.

It was exposed after a Waltham woman received a card through her front door inviting her to ring a telephone number if she wanted to receive delivery of a parcel.

She became suspicious as she was not expecting a parcel and could find no trace of the delivery company on the internet.

It transpired that had she made the call she would have been billed £15 in a scam tracked by police to Belize in Central America.

Canterbury police’s neighbourhood unit issued a warning this week for people to be wary of parcel deliveries requesting a call-back.

PC Paul Gibson warned: “If you haven’t applied for anything to come by post, I would strongly suggest you do not reply.

“We are receiving reports of scams, whereby parcels couldn’t be delivered and you need to call a number provided.

“These numbers are tracked through to Belize and you call the number and start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the call.”

Anyone concerned about local crime should contact their neighbourhood police officer on 01227 868253.