By Colin Smeeton
Police on Arran are urging residents to be vigilant against scammers who increase their criminal activity in the run-up to the festive period.
Over the past few weeks, Arran police officers have been investigating several fraud incidents which have left some island residents out of pocket.
In additional to the usual phishing scams, where fraudsters try to obtain your bank details, scammers also try to take advantage of people’s kind and generous nature by tricking them into parting with their hard-earned cash.
Anyone can fall victim to scammers as the scams are often elaborate and convincing. If you are not guarding yourself against these fraudsters and their scams, any one of us has the potential to fall victim to them.
Arran sergeant Kevin Blackley said: “Internet and phone scams appear to be on the increase. I was targeted last week by a text message/WhatsApp scheme, however, I was aware it was a potential fraudster who had messaged me.
“I received a message saying, ‘Dad this is my new number if you can save it please’, then a few days later another message from the same number asking for a loan of some money. Often they will message saying something similar to ‘mum/dad my phone has been lost, this is my friend’s phone but I need some money for a new phone’, and then ask you to transfer some money to the account they give.
“If you receive a message from anyone reporting to be a relative, often a son or daughter, contact that person by the existing number you have for them and speak to them to enquire if they have contacted you. Always question who is asking for money before sending any.”
Other scams include telephone calls reporting to be from the bank telling you that your account has been compromised and that you need to transfer money out of your account. If you receive a call or messages/emails like this, or any that involve transferring money, stop for a moment and think about what you are being asked to do. Never give out personal information to the caller or call them back on the number that they give to confirm their identity. Instead, look at the back of your bank card and only use the phone number printed on your card to contact your bank to let them know about your call.
Your bank will never ask you to transfer or withdraw money or set up a secure account for you.
If you believe you have been the victim of a fraudulent scheme or money has been taken from your bank account, contact your bank immediately and they will advise you on what to do next to make sure your account is safe.
Anyone who thinks they have fallen victim to a scam or who has any information which may assist officers is asked to contact 101.
Further information about scams and how to avoid them can be found on the Police Scotland website at https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/
Arran sergeant Kevin Blackley has been targeted by scammers amid a rise of scam cases in the run-up to Christmas. 01_B46scams01_23_Kevin_Blackley