Fraudsters claiming to work as tech support are scamming members of the public and making them download harmful software, police have claimed.

A public notice has been issued by Essex Police, warning people in the county to be wary of criminals contacting them by phone or instant messaging.

The scammers claim to work as IT support for large companies such as Microsoft, Talk Talk, BT or Sky, before asking the victim to download and install “remote assistance” software which they claim will allow them to fix errors on their computer.

The software actually allows the criminals to delete files and install harmful malware, and in some cases they also ask for usernames and passwords.

The victim is then asked for payment for the service through PayPal.

People who receive a fraudulent call should hang up and not install any software or tell the caller any personal information.

Anyone concerned by a phone call they have received can contact the police on 101.