Scammers have been using information about missing pets posted online to trick heartbroken owners into paying vast sums of money for things like made up vet surgeries.

After monitoring vulnerable pet owners using social media posts, posters and online adverts for lost animals, the scammers will contact owners pretending to be veterinary staff.

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The callers will pretend the pet has been found, but say it is seriously injured and requires urgent surgery, pressuring the owner into paying a large vet bill over the phone before they can be reunited.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We’ve been made aware of this particularly heartless scam affecting people who are advertising their missing pets.

FILE PHOTO. Police have issued a warning (Image: TVP)

“This is a cruel tactic that preys on the emotional distress and love people have for their pets.”

Police advised that people never make payments over the phone to caller who has contacted them unexpectedly, and to verify any claims made independently, for example, by contacting the vet surgery they claim to be from using a trusted phone number.

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The force also advises that people should ‘be wary’ of pressure tactics, like being rushed into making a payment, ask for proof from any caller and never share personal or financial details with unknown callers.

Any instances of fraud or a suspected scam should be reported to Action Fraud.

The police added: “Scammers are exploiting people at their most vulnerable – let’s not give them the opportunity.”

People planning to use the county’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) have been warned of a series of short closures in May and June.

This is to enable essential work to be carried out, and Oxfordshire County Council will be shutting the centres for two days, although never at the same time.

Deep cleaning and essential maintenance will take place, including jet washing sites and structures, repainting lines and safety areas, and other general work.

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The closing dates are Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, for Oakley Wood, near Wallingford.

For Alkerton, near Banbury, the centre will be closed on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12.

Ardley, near Bicester, will be shut on Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15, while Drayton, near Abingdon, will close on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22.

Stanford in the Vale, near Faringdon, will shut on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19, and Dix Pit, Stanton Harcourt, on Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3.

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All closures are on quieter weekdays to minimise disruption, and sites will reopen at 8am the following day.

The deep clean for Redbridge HWRC in Oxford will be carried out later in the year, and full details will be provided in due course.

Redbridge is also due to close for around three months in the summer for essential safety work.

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Customers are reminded that they must book a slot online on Oxfordshire County Council’s website before visiting their HWRC.

Bookings are available up to two weeks in advance or 30 minutes prior, subject to availability.

No booking slots will be available for those affected sites on the dates they are closed.

More information can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website, including details of alternative sites during the closures if visitors are unable to wait until their local site reopens.

Mr Wallace, 61, has said he intends to put the property on the market because he is “unable to live the life he used to have” financially since losing his role on the BBC cooking show.

He told The Sun he wants to sell his “enormous” house and buy “something modest” to give himself stability.

The Daily Mail has also reported that Mr Wallace is preparing to list the £1 million home in Kent, where he lives with his wife and young son.

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Mr Wallace’s decision comes after he was sacked from MasterChef last year following an investigation into allegations about his conduct on the programme.

An external inquiry commissioned by production company Banijay upheld more than 40 allegations relating mainly to inappropriate sexual language, humour and comments judged to be culturally insensitive or racist.

Mr Wallace has denied engaging in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature and has said he was cleared of what he described as “the most serious and sensational accusations”, while apologising to anyone he may have upset.

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He is currently pursuing legal action against the BBC and BBC Studios, claiming he suffered “distress and harassment” during the handling of his case.

In addition to his national broadcasting work, Mr Wallace has previously appeared on BBC Radio Oxford, featuring as a guest on Tim Smith’s show alongside comedian Joe Pasquale.

Mr Wallace, who first came to prominence as a London greengrocer and restaurateur before joining MasterChef in 2005, has said he now plans to spend more time in Italy once his Kent home is sold.