Vulnerable residents have been warned about a scam in which fraudsters pretend to be council officials to steal their details.

Con artists have been posing as council workers warning residents about a change in tax banding in order to get obtain financial details.

Several residents in the Wealden area have complained to the district council about the scam.

Jim Van den Bos, from Wealden District Council, said: “We are putting the message across to other authorities because we believe they may be operating across the county.

“The residents who contacted us said people posing as Wealden District Council officials knocked at their doors and told them that because of council tax banding changes they were in arrears. They then tried to get financial details.

“We are not aware of anyone who has fallen for this scam but we want to put the warning out there, especially to vulnerable residents.

“Residents should always ask to see official identification for any council representative.”