Medway traders are being warned about a phone scam.

Businesses in the Towns are being told to ignore any phone calls claiming to be from Medway Council requesting payment for shop front displays or advertising boards.

These calls are a scam and the advice is to immediately hang up if you receive one.

One trader in Rochester was threatened with legal action if he did not pay £1,500 over the phone to use his advertising board outside his shop. The calls are nothing to do with Medway Council.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, who is in charge of community safety and customer contact said: "Being told that you may end up in court or receive a visit from bailiffs can be very worrying for small traders.

"These fraudsters use these threats hoping to frighten people into paying. Under no circumstances should anyone give unknown callers their bank details or any other personal financial details. Our advice is to hang up and report them immediately.

"These criminals are very often professionally organised and are very capable of extorting money from people."

To report these scams, or for more information on how to avoid falling victim to them, people can contact the Citizens Advice consumer help line on 08454 040506.