Police advise the public of possible phone scams operating in the Highlands

20th February 2013

Northern Constabulary are advising members of the public to be aware of possible telephone scams that may be operating in the Highlands after recent reports from members of the public and local businesses.

Police in the Ross and Cromarty area were alerted to a phone scam on Tuesday 5 February 2013 after an unknown caller managed to obtain bank details from an elderly man. The caller convinced the member of the public that they had won an amount of money. These details have then been used to fraudulently withdraw money from their account.

On Tuesday 19 February 2013 Police in Caithness, Sutherland and East Ross were contacted by local businesses after reports of a bogus caller falsely claiming to be a Police officer and demanding payment for a subscription taken out for a Police magazine.

If you receive a call of either description do not give out any personal or financial information, ask for a number on which to call them back and hang up the phone. You should never give out your personal information to anyone during an unsolicited call.

If you still wish to speak to a Police officer or if this may have happened to you please contact your nearest Police station on 0845 600 5703.