POLICE are warning people about a phone scam after a woman was called by someone claiming to be from Microsoft Windows.

The incident happened at around 11.30am today when the Clacton resident received a call from a man who claimed she had a computer virus and needed to pay £150 to have it removed.

Fortunately the woman did not part with any money but was left "very distressed" by the call.

Police are urging anyone who receives such calls to hang up and report the incident direct to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud-reporting centre run by the National Fraud Authority.

People can report fraud using its online system which is available 24 hours a day at actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.