Partnership saves thousands from being ripped off

EMYLIE HOWIE

A partnership between Police Scotland and the finance industry has saved people in Scotland from losing out on over £6million.

In the last financial year (April 2019 – March 2020) £6.85 million of fraudulent transactions were prevented by the Banking Protocol - a partnership between Police Scotland, the finance industry and Trading Standards.

To date in this financial year (April – August) the protocol has also stopped almost 200 members of the public losing more than £1million.

Due to the lockdown, there has been a decrease of around 50 per cent in the number of incidents reported in this financial year compared to same period in 2019.

Now, as people are able to return to the High Street, the opportunities for the fraudsters will increase and Police Scotland are urging South Lanarkshire residents to be vigilant.

Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable, Angela McLaren, said:“We remain committed to working with our partners to protect people from becoming victims of fraud.

“Unfortunately, fraudsters will seek every opportunity to exploit anyone they perceive to be susceptible and who they can forge a controlling, exploitative relationship through fear, intimidation or false promises.”

The Banking Protocol in Scotland was launched in March 2018 and has seen bank staff being trained to spot the signs of a customer who may have fallen victim to a scam or who may be about to.

Staff look out for customers seeking to move large sums of money to a new account, an overseas account or making unusual transactions while in the branch.

In February this year, a 70-year-old man went to his bank to withdraw £6000 to pay for work being carried out on a wall.

The bank staff grew suspicious and contacted police through the Banking

Protocol procedure.

Officers attended and liaised with the man before taking him home, where they were met with two other men.

Trading Standards arranged for work to be assessed which revealed that what had been carried out was of sub-standard and should have cost no more than £1500.

Both men carrying out the work were then arrested and charged with attempted fraud.

Chief Constable McLaren added:“If you suspect you, or someone you know, has been the victim of finance fraud you should contact Police Scotland via 101, or in an emergency 999.”