Spark is warning its customers to hang up if they suspect they have been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from the company.

The phone network, formerly known as Telecom, says the fraudsters appear to have become more aggressive in recent days, telling customers that services will be cut off due to security issues unless they change their settings or clean up their computers.

Spark has set up a new scam helpline for people to report fraudulent calls.

'The customers are then directed to a website where they are told to download some software, which the fraudsters have branded as Spark,” says a statement.

'Customers are also being asked by the caller to give remote access to their computer, provide personal banking information and leave their phone off the hook for up to three days following the ‘setting change' as part of this scam.

'We understand in some instances the fraudsters are giving customers a made-up ‘employee numbe' to verify their identity.”

Spark says these calls are not from them and they 'strongly advise anyone who receives these calls to hang up immediately”.

'Do not hand over any personal banking information and do not proceed to the fraudulent web page,” they add.

If people have any doubts about the phone call's legitimacy, they are advised to end the call and ring Spark's new scam helpline on 123, option 9.

'Please be assured that these fraudsters do not have access to Spark systems.”