Ross residents are being warned about a scam which has been targeting users of the messaging platform Whatsapp.

Criminals will send a message from an account posing as a son or daughter claiming that they've changed their number.

The criminal will then explain that they've had a problem with their phone, that they have received a bill from a new broadband provider of several hundred pounds, and that they are unable to pay.

It's not just Ross residents who have been affected by the scam, however a number of people in the area have been targeted and are warning others.

Some residents have reported narrowly escaping the scam, however there have been no reports of the criminals making away with any money yet.

Scams of this type are not new and the messaging app Whatsapp allows the cheap sending of messages to large numbers of people, making it an ideal hunting ground for fraudsters.

Whatsapp users can avoid scams by being highly cautious of unrecognised numbers, especially claiming to be from a friend or family member. It is always sensible to check by another means of a caller's authenticity, either by phone or more ideally, in person.

Users of the app are also advised never to provide any personal data including PIN codes or any kind of payment or login details.

Messages can be blocked or reported as spam within Whatsapp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select 'report' and then follow the instructions.