A Fife pensioner has been conned out of a four-figure sum of money following a gift voucher scam.
The 71-year-old woman, from Dunfermline, was telephoned at her home and told she was due a PPI reimbursement.
The scammers told the victim she would have to purchase a quantity of gift vouchers worth the sum of money from her local store before transferring them to the caller.
The upset victim contacted her bank on Monday October 1 after realising no money had been sent to her bank account and the scam was revealed.
Constable Carol Crawford from Dunfermline Police Station has issued a warning to members of the public to be wary of telephone calls of this nature.
Constable Crawford said: “Scammers like this actively target elderly and vulnerable members of our communities and often sound extremely convincing.
“However, please be mindful that no legitimate finance company, bank or organisation will ever cold-call to request your personal information, or ask you to make payment in the form of gift vouchers etc.
“If you receive a call like this, please hang up and contact police immediately.
“We’d also ask the public to speak with elderly and vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours to advise them of such scams so others do not fall victim.
“Our website has a range of useful crime prevention advice available by visiting www.scotland.police.uk.”
Those with information relating to this incident can contact Dunfermline Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 1153 of the 1st October. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
