Police Scotland is again warning the public after a 68 year old Castle Douglas woman was conned out of £20,000 in a telephone scam on Thursday 17 March 2016. Contact was made with the woman by telephone purporting to be from the Visa Fraud Unit, indicating that fraudulent activity had been discovered on her account and that she should transfer funds into another account to protect them, for which she was given details. The woman transferred the funds and the scam was complete. Detective Inspector Dean Little said “more and more we are finding that those carrying out these scams are becoming increasingly proficient and professional in the way they come across to those whom they target. The public need to be alert to anyone who calls them out of the blue and take time to think about what it is that the caller is asking them. Our advice is to note details and before taking any action on that first call, stop and think, and even discuss with friends or relatives what it is the caller is requesting. Again any personal details or details of account numbers should never be discussed over the telephone.”
