Fraud has increased in Scotland by two thirds over the past year, according to Advice Direct Scotland, which warned consumers to remain vigilant.
The latest official figures show a rise from 797 cases in September 2019 to 1,328 in September this year – a rise of 67%.
Although cases have remained at roughly the same level year-on-year, fraud increased by 26% between 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The pandemic played a significant role due to the behavioural changes of consumers due to the increase in online shopping, stated the consumer body.
Research published within the recent Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin estimated that 57% of fraud crimes recorded in 2020-21 were cyber crimes, compared to 29% in 2019-20.
Marjorie Gibson, head of operations with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Scammers exploited the Covid pandemic by preying on people and businesses, and that worrying trend has continued.
“Cybercrime is a growing concern, and it’s always important to check emails or online communications very carefully and always be wary of anyone asking for personal financial information.”
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