POLICE have revealed a number of tricks used by fraudsters to steal the savings and hard-earned cash of innocent victims.

Officers have published examples of emails and text messages which have been sent to unsuspecting members of the public.

According the police, con artists are using fake text messages masquerading as an employee from the DVLA in an attempt to obtain personal information.

A police spokesman said: "If the DVLA needs to speak to you then they will write to you. They will never text or email you.

"Fraudsters are also using fake bank texts in an attempt to gain access to your personal information.

"If in doubt contact your bank for assistance."

Other attempts include someone pretending to be from the HMRC and asking the recipient to click on a link within the email and a fake parcel delivery email.

Fraud and internet crime costs the economy an estimated £73 billion every year.

To report an incident relating to fraud visit actionfraud.police.uk.