Crooks are always working out new ways to con people

SCAMMMERS constantly evolve and develop new ways of targeting the vulnerable, taking advantage of new and traditional technologies alike.

In recent months they have also sought to prey on peoples’ fears over the spread of Covid-19, adding a new dimension to their arsenal.

Police Scotland said fraud had gone up by 10% in the first month of the lockdown alone.

Last month trading standards issued a warning after a fake message, purporting to be from the NHS test and protect team, began circulating which attempted to trick people into leaving their homes insecure.

The message urged homeowners to go into a separate room while a testing team entered their house.

It specified a date and time and advised that the team would call the person when they arrived and asked them to remain in a separate room.

And another scam was also circulating around the same time, which attempted to extract people’s personal details under the guise of the test and protect app.

Citizens Advice teams and health chiefs say the pandemic has triggered Covid-19-related schemes to get cash from people who are vulnerable due to issues including debt and anxiety.

Crooks have also employed more “traditional” methods to target people and exploit their fears since lockdown began.

Warnings have been issued after “bogus callers” began doorstepping people and impersonating NHS staff to try to con them out of money.

Fraudsters have also offered to spray paths and driveways with antibacterial treatment for cash.

And fake websites selling bogus Covid-19 cures or asking for donations have also been set up.