The Security Service has published an alert on its website

Mar 26, 2013 16:14 GMT  ·  By

The UK Security Service, or MI5, is warning users to be on the lookout for phone and email scams that impersonate the agency’s staff and even its Director General.

According to an alert posted on MI5’s official website, the scammers try to trick their victims into handing over money.

“Members of the public in the UK and abroad have received requests for money by email or phone from individuals claiming they work for the Security Service (MI5). Some have purported to be from MI5's Director General, Sir Jonathan Evans,” the advisory reads.

“These requests are a financial scam and have nothing to do with the Service or the Director General,” it continues.

Those who receive such phone calls or emails are advised not to respond to them and file a report with the police.