Beware Amazon voucher scam

An East Kilbride pensioner was conned out of hundreds of pounds in a brazen cold call scam.

The bogus caller stated that the 87-year-old owed tax and instructed her to send £500 in Amazon vouchers to clear the debt.

When the scammer called back for the codes, he told the Westwood OAP that she had to repeat the process.

Her return to the same supermarket to buy more vouchers alerted staff who were aware of the scam and contacted police.

Police say that enquiries are ongoing and have urged vulnerable members of the public to stay vigilant.

A police spokesman said:“Please inform anyone in your family who may be vulnerable that no reputable company or Government organisation will ever make contact regarding a debt where payments can be made in vouchers of any kind.

“They will never ask you to make a wire money transfer.

“They will never ask for access to your internet bank to check your balance.

“Every one of these circumstances is a scam and you are about to lose your money. End the call immediately.

“Threats of every kind are used in these scams and they are very unsettling.

“Common threats to scare victims have included warnings that electricity is going to be cut off, an eviction notice has been served due to council tax debts, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, or are about to have property repossessed.

“These threats are all the beginning of a scam.

“The perpetrators sound very convincing, and the threat immediate.

“Once a victim discovers that they have been scammed, it is common to feel embarrassed at having been conned.

“Please re-assure family and friends that they should have confidence in reporting any loss, and to call 101 to report the matter.”