CUMBRIA Police are advising members of the public, specifically hoteliers and B&B owners, against giving their credit card details over the phone after receiving more reports of bogus phone calls from a man purporting to be from Cumbria Police.

Over the last month, a man claiming to be a detective sergeant from Carlisle has telephoned a number of hotels and bed and breakfast establishments across the county stating that he is investigating credit card fraud and requires credit card details.

Police have received reports of five incidents to date, occurring in Keswick, Lowick, Grange-over- Sands, Ulverston and Ambleside. Upon investigation it was discovered that the officers named do not work for Cumbria Police and this may have been an attempt at credit card fraud.