Police warning over bank scam in north
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A WARNING has been issued by the police about a bank scam which has been targeting people in the north.
A number of calls have been made to households, claiming to be from their bank and saying their accounts have been compromised. They are encouraged to transfer their money into a "safe account" which belongs to the fraudsters.
Sergeant Richard Ross from Prevention and Interventions in Highlands and Islands is keen to raise awareness about these scams and says enquiries are ongoing.
"It is a well-known tactic for scammers to alarm the account holder into believing their money is at risk and trick them into transferring their money to them," he said.
"The effect can be devastating for the businesses and people that fall victim of these scams.
"I would urge everyone to be on guard at all times against this type of activity. The criminals who use tactics like this go to great lengths to appear legitimate, including making it appear that they are calling from the genuine number which is printed on your bank card.
"It is important to remember a genuine caller from your bank would never ask you to transfer money during an unsolicited call.
The criminals who use tactics like this go to great lengths to appear legitimate.
The officer added: "Always be suspicious if someone claiming to be from your bank requests your bank or personal details – they should already have them and they wouldn't ask for them over the phone. It is best to politely end the call and call back on a number you have sourced yourself, ideally using a different phone.
"Alternatively seek advice from your local bank if that is an option."
Meanwhile, Police Scotland is running a campaign to deter the public from buying potentially stolen goods. Detective Superintendent Catriona Henderson, who is leading the campaign, said: "It is a criminal offence to knowingly take possession of any item that has been obtained by criminal means.
"Resetting stolen property is not a victimless crime. Often the things being stolen are from another member of the public's home and were intended as a gift for a loved one or friend.
"Alternatively, they are taken from commercial businesses that then make claims on their insurance and have to raise their prices as a result.
"What our investigations into resetting often find is that those involved are part of a wider chain of organised crime and it is the profit made from selling stolen goods that then funds more significant criminal activity."
The illicit trade is believed to cost the economy over £9 billion in lost revenue, almost 60,000 jobs and £4 billion in unpaid tax.
