Isles resident loses five-figure sum to ‘bank’ fraudster

A Shetland resident has lost £14,000 after becoming the latest victim of scam phone calls in the islands.

Police have reiterated their warning to householders across the Highlands and Islands, and particularly in Shetland, not to give out any details to cold callers who claim to be from a bank.

A number of bank-related frauds have been reported to Lerwick police in recent weeks. Other incidents have resulted in total losses of £10,000.

Police said the caller claims to be looking into recent transactions and asks for information such as the householder’s name and address. Officers are urging individuals not to divulge other sensitive information including bank account numbers and passwords.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: “Police would ask members of the public to exercise extreme caution in relation to any telephone calls they may receive in relation to their bank accounts. It is not normal banking practice to ask for details of accounts, passwords or PIN codes on the telephone.”

If people are unsure whether a phone call is authentic, they should terminate the call and contact their bank through a genuine number.

“The best and most simple security advice is do not give out personal information over the phone and if in doubt call your bank yourself from a separate line, possibly a mobile phone, and ask the bank if they have tried to contact you,” the spokesman said.