SHOPS and businesses are being warned of scam calls from fake head office employees.

This comes after an employee working in Basingstoke town centre took a phone call from a woman claiming to be from the company’s head office.

The caller, who made the call on Monday, claimed a customer had purchased perfume from the outlet that she had developed an allergic reaction to.

The call claimed that head office were authorising the refund and that the customer would come in to the store collect it.

Shortly afterwards, a white female in her mid-30s with long dark hair in a ponytail and a lip piercing, arrived in the shop and was given cash without presenting any receipts or returning goods.

She also presented with a rash on her face that she claimed the perfume had caused.

It later transpired that the stores head office had no knowledge of this.

If any employees or stores receive any calls of this nature, they are asked to contact their head office before providing a refund and if a suspect turns up to your premises requesting a refund, call 999.

If your company has been a victim of a fraud of this nature, please report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If you have captured CCTV of any suspects, contact 101..