Farmers are being warned to be wary of scammers aiming to get their hands on European Union (EU) grant payments being made this month.

They are being warned to be extremely wary of any suspicious calls, texts or emails, as fraudsters begin to specifically target the agricultural sector as payments begin to arrive into bank accounts, through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which is the EUs main rural payment scheme.

Con artists typically call, email or text their victims, claiming that a fraud has been detected on their account and then persuade them to hand over financial information or ask them to transfer money to what they claim is a ’safe account’.

Information about those in receipt of the funds - including their name and how much they are to be paid - is publically available, which allows criminals to directly target victims, making the con more convincing.

Tony Blake, Senior Fraud Prevention Officer at Financial Fraud Action UK’s dedicated card and payment crime unit, said: "Criminals are well aware of when these annual payments start to arrive and will look for any opportunity to defraud their victims.

"It is vital that farmers, and other recipients of the payment, are alert to these scams and are very wary of any phone calls, texts or emails out of the blue asking for personal or financial information, or to transfer money to another account.

"If you receive such a call or message, hang up the phone and do not reply directly. Instead, wait five minutes and ring your bank to alert them to the scam, using a phone number that you trust - such as the one from the official website."

Detective Inspector Tim Bower, from Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit, said there were a number of things potential victims should be on their guard for.

Any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from your bank, the police, a Government body or other organisation asking for personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money.

Cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back. Fraudsters can keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end.

Remember:

• You will never be asked for your four digit PIN or your online banking password, or for you to transfer money to a new account for "fraud reasons".

• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line, or where possible use a different phone line, then call your bank or card issuer on their advertised number to report the fraud.

• Call 101 for non-emergencies and general enquiries, in an emergency call 999.

To report an incident to Action Fraud, call 0300 123 2040