POLICE are warning farmers to be aware of scam phone calls in the run up to the Basic Payment Scheme payments.

Farmers are being warned to be extremely wary of any suspicious calls, texts or emails as fraudsters specifically target the agricultural sector when EU grants begin to arrive in bank accounts this month.

From December, farmers start to receive funds from the Basic Payment Scheme or BPS. Information about these payments is publicly available, meaning criminals are able to target directly victims and make their approaches appear more convincing.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Be very wary of any phone calls, texts or emails asking for personal or financial information or to transfer money to another account. ‘If you receive such a call, hang up, wait five minutes, and ring your bank to alert them of this scam using a phone number that you trust. Never disclose your four-digit card PIN to anyone, including the bank or police. Never disclose your password or online banking codes. ‘Never disclose personal details unless you are certain you know who you are talking to.’