A MAN is warning customers to be vigilant after receiving numerous scam phone calls claiming to be from his telephone provider.

John Brown, from Darlington, had been receiving missed calls and automated messages from 'British Telecom' stating his internet and broadband with Virgin Media would be cancelled.

The messages, which he received almost daily in the space of four weeks, told him he could remedy this by calling a certain number and pressing 'one' to speak to someone claiming to be tech support.

Already suspicious, the 75-year-old contacted the police and his provider independently, who confirmed the calls were a scam.

Mr Brown said: “First of all, whoever is leaving the message hasn’t done their research because British Telecom and Virgin Media are two different companies.

"You realise from there that it’s a scam and if you call back you’ll be charged stupid amounts of money.

“I reported it to Virgin Media who said they have had multiple calls reporting the same thing.

"I also reported it to Durham Police.

"There might be other people receiving these calls who don't realise its a scam so I wanted to put the warning out."

Virgin Media advises customers to be vigilant and consider who they share information with.

The provider warned people to take the time to check who they’re talking to before they provide personal information or carry out an action which might have financial consequences, such as pressing 'one' to speak to tech support.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “Virgin Media takes the security of its customers very seriously.

"Like many organisations and banks, we will never call our customers and ask for account and bank details or direct them to contact an unknown source.

"If any of our customers receive suspicious calls, we urge them not to give any details, disconnect the call and report the incident to Action Fraud immediately.”

Those receiving calls they believe to be scam can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

For more information on staying safe and how to be aware of scams and phishing attempts can be found online at virginmedia.com/help/home-phone-nuisance-calls