POLICE are warning householders to beware of phone calls from people claiming to be owed money.

Mike Smith from Cumbria police explained police had received reports of a company operating in Cumbria by calling people at home, telling them they owed money and needed to call a certain number to deal with it.

The number given was a premium rate number and callers to it have been kept on hold for long periods, running up large bills.

Mr Smith said everyone should be suspicious if they were asked to dial any number beginning with 09.