AN ONLINE scam warning has been issued about malicious emails containing software which can access personal and financial information.

Trading standards chiefs say the emails invite the recipient to open an attachment which they falsely claim contains details on recent items they have bought.

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The emails appear to be genuine and invite the recipient to open a file which they falsely claim contains more details on the items.

Examples of the scam reported to Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen trading standards involve using 'sender' email addresses that appear legitimate and contain summary information about an alleged recent purchase.

They then go on to say: “Please find the detailed information on your purchase in the attached file.”

County Coun Janice Hanson, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for public protection, said: "These emails are designed to play on people's curiosity and to get them to download the attachment.

"The attachment is likely to contain malware, which, once installed on a computer, can be used by criminals to access personal details including passwords, account numbers and email contacts.

"Our advice is very straightforward, if you receive an email about a purchase you don't recognise or know anything about, don't open the attachment."

According to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, three legitimate businesses whose company names have been used as part of the scam said that these emails are not associated with them in any way.

A further 40 variations of the email have been logged so far.

Anyone who has been affected by scams of any type can report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.