Scots are being urged to stay vigilant over a new TV licence email scam as fraudsters take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Action Fraud claims there were 260 incidents recorded last month as people were duped into handing over their hard-earned cash.
Fraudsters sent bogus emails to victims claiming to be from TV Licensing with a special 'Covid-19 offer' of six months of free telly.
The scammers then tell potential victims there was a problem with their direct debit and they are asked to pay again via a link provided, Birmingham Live reports.
The bogus email warns: "If you don't keep up with your payments, we may be forced to cancel your licence and pass your details to a debt collection agency."
Action Fraud responded: "The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.
"Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it's a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text."
Officials revealed a total of £4,690,536 has been reported lost by 2,057 victims of coronavirus-related scams.
Meanwhile, Action Fraud has received 11,206 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails - just as free TV licences for the over-75s were due to come to an end on June 1.
Scots cops are also warning people to be wary of fraud amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The advice came after fraudsters conned their victims out of nearly £300,000 while the country was on lockdown.
The huge figure was raked in as nearly 700 people across the UK were duped out of cash.
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