Relation helps avert £13,000 phone scam

A last-ditch intervention by the relative of a Glenrothes pensioner prevented fraudsters from pocketing £13,000.

Police in Fife are warning the public to be aware of unsolicited phone calls after scammers targeted the 83-year-old last month.

The caller, who had a Scottish accent, told the man numerous illegal transactions had been made on his account and his money had being stolen.

This was a lie to persuade him to transfer money to the fraudster’s account.

However, following the intervention of a relative, the bank were able to stop the transactions just in time.

Sergeant Kirk Donnelly, from Police Scotland’s Glenrothes community department, said: “Your bank will never call you to discuss discrepancies with your account, nor will they or the police ask you to transfer money as a safety precaution.

“These criminals claim to be from legitimate organisations and try to frighten or pressure people into revealing personal details or banking information.

“If you receive a call of this nature, it is a scam. Please do not comply with the caller’s request. Hang up and contact police, preferably on a different phone.

“Never give out any of your personal information to a caller.

“If you have any concerns about activity on your bank account then visit your local branch and speak with a bona fide staff member.

“Although this kind of crime can happen to anyone, I am urging anyone who may have elderly friends or relatives in the Glenrothes or Fife area to make them aware of such scams and help prevent them from becoming victims.”