A Scot lost £24,000 to a scammer posing as a 'polite female' during a fake bank phone call.
The Renfrewshire man was left penniless after the evil fraudster 'cleared out this accounts' and took a loan out in his name.
It comes after a 'friendly and polite' woman called pretending to be from his bank and told him he was unable to pay a standing order.
She then made him reveal his security questions and bank account information and stole everything.
When the man later called his bank they told him the heartbreaking news that he had no money left and had lost his £24k life savings.
Now police are begging Scots to be on high alert as scammers can be 'very convincing and persuasive on the telephone'.
They often gather information about you from other sources which when discussed on the telephone gives the appearance of validating the callers claims.
Police Scotland said: "There are number of claims which they may make on the call to compel you to act. Some examples include: they may say your account has been 'hacked' and you need to provide your full details to make it safe again.
"They may say that you have an overdue bill to pay which if left unpaid may mean you will be arrested.
"They may tell you that a subscription service is overdue and may be cut off.
"Whatever it is #TakeFive to stop and think, do you really know who is on the other end of the phone?
"Legitimate companies will not pressure you into anything.
"End the call and do some research?
"Is the number that called you linked to the company they claim to be?
"Find a different number for the company if you need to call them back.
"Call back from another telephone line if you can as sometimes the scammers will keep your original line open whilst you call back and intercept the call.
"Remember legitimate banks and financial institutions will not ask you for your full security details on the telephone."
