FRAUDSTERS claiming to be from the Citizens Advice Bureau are preying on people with money worries with unsolicited calls offering fake 'debt help', Forest of Dean Citizens' Advice Bureau is warning.

CAB manager, Lynn Teague, says no genuine Citizens Advice Bureau adviser would ever call people out of the blue offering to set up a debt management plan.

"This is a despicable scam that trades on public trust in our service. We were horrified when someone who wasn't an existing client contacted us to find out how we knew they were in debt, and told us they had had a call from one of our advisers.

"We made it very clear that no CAB adviser, or anyone connected with the CAB, would ever phone or text someone out of the blue to offer debt management services. We cannot stress this strongly enough, and we would urge anyone getting a bogus call like this to end the call as quickly as possible, never give or confirm any personal information, and to report the call immediately to Action Fraud and to the CAB. This advice applies to any cold call or text that offers you a loan, help dealing with debt problems, or claims to be from your bank – it is almost certainly a scam."

The CAB offers free advice, contact the adviceline 08444 111444 (from a landline) or 0300 3300 650 (from a mobile).

Drop-in sessions are held at:

Bream: The Health Centre, Beech Way, GL15 6NB Monday fortnightly from 19/9/11 9.30am-noon

Cinderford: Belle Vue Centre, Belle Vue Road, GL14 2AB Mondays, 1.30pm-4pm and Thursdays 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm

Coleford: Town House, Lords Hill Walk, GL16 8BF Thursdays 10am-12.30pm, Fridays 10am-12.30pm

Lydney: The Health Centre, Albert Street, GL15 5NQ Tuesdays 10am-12.30pm

Newent: The Library, High Street, GL18 1AN, Tuesdays 10am-12.30pm.

If you're interesting in volunteering call 01594 823937 or go to the website: http://www.forestofdean">www.forestofdean

cab.co.uk