Office workers from Ongar and North Weald are being warned to beware of a telephone scam which could lead to their homes being burgled this Christmas.
Police crime reduction officer Tony Ellis, says women in particular should beware of people calling companies in office hours and claiming they are from the Post Office and checking the firm's postcode.
The conmen then tells who answers the phone that they are eligible for gift vouchers which will be posted to their home address.
Mr Ellis said: "The callers assume that if a woman answers the call, her husband is also at work and that her house is unoccupied during office hours. Don't give your home details to any caller while you are at work."
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