Police Scotland is advising the public to be vigilant after a Highland Perthshire woman was conned out of thousands of pounds in a recent telephone bank scam.
The 60-year from Pitlochry was the victim of fraud with losses totalling £9000.
The vile fraudsters claimed to be from her bank and then asked her to provide answers to a number of security questions.
The con artists then told the unsuspecting woman that someone had attempted to access her account and that measures had to be taken to secure her funds.
Then, using the security answers they had stolen, the criminals contacted the bank impersonating the victim and withdrew the four-figure sum of money from her account.
Police constable Caroline Madden from Pitlochry Police Station said: “The woman was targeted from fraudsters claiming to be from her bank.
“She was asked to provide the answers to her security questions and then informed that someone had attempted withdraw the money from her account.
“She was advised she would have to transfer more money to counteract this.
“Criminals then contacted the bank impersonating the victim, used the security answers provided by her and stole £9000.
“I would like to remind the public, if fraud has been committed on your account, banks will never contact you direct and ask you to transfer money to another account.
“If they do hang up immediately.
“If you are suspicious contact the bank on the correct number you have for them.”
Anyone who has concerns surrounding fraudulent activity, or who feels they may have been the victims of scammers, should contact the police on 101.
