Angus residents have been warned against a wave of scam calls from people pretending to work for the local authority.
Council tenants in particular have been targeted by unknown callers who ring up asking for sort codes and account numbers, with the avowed intention of setting up housing accounts or collecting unpaid rents.
The scam was reported by multi-agency group Scam Free Angus and confirmed by the local authority.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “If a resident receives a call from someone claiming to be from the council and is in any doubt at all about the caller’s credentials, they should not give out any personal details.
“Residents can check if a call is authentic by getting in touch with the council via AccessLine on 08452 777 778.”
Around 200 people in Angus have been identified as vulnerable from telephone scams a number that is increasing each year.
The multi-agency Angus Adult Protection Committee estimates 3.5 million unwanted telephone calls are made to Angus addresses each year four times the national average.
Chairwoman Margaret Wells said the scale of unwanted and scam calls is “quite terrifying”.
The council’s spokeswoman on consumer protection, Councillor Mairi Evans, said: “As well as the potential for financial harm, these calls can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety to those receiving them.
“The council believes the toll this takes on the health and wellbeing of our vulnerable citizens is unacceptable.”
Operation Carpus, a joint initiative between police and Angus Council’s trading standards and social work departments, will aid people at risk of harm from fraud.
The initiative, in partnership with Angus Council, comes after warnings against an email “spoofing” scam from fraudsters pretending to be 2012 Lottery millionaires Gillian and Adrian Bayford.
Local area commander Chief Inspector Gordon Milne spoke after the launch of a new initiative to protect vulnerable people in the county.
He said previously: “If you have lost money to scams or are worried that a family member may have been a victim, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
In addition to the AccessLine, Angus Council trading standards can be reached on 01241 435600 or the police on 101.