Scots are being warned to be wary of scammers who are calling people pretending to be from NHS Scotland in an attempt to obtain your bank details.
NHS Scotland Counter Fraud have advised the public not to give any details and to hang up the phone.
They are urging people to report these scam calls to 101, to protect the elderly and society’s most vulnerable.
FRAUD ALERT!
— NHS Scotland Counter Fraud (@NHSSCFS) March 3, 2021
Scammers are calling the public, pretending to be from NHS Scotland in an attempt to obtain your bank details. Do not provide your details. Hang up on scammers.
Please #TakeFive and #Tell2 to protect our elderly and most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/2dtF3gSykF
According to consumer rights officials, scammers have exploited the pandemic by finding new ways to con the public.
The most common scams have been calls or emails telling people they have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 and demanding bank details to pay for a test.
READ MORE: Coronavirus scams rise warning by Trading Standards Scotland
Trading Standards Scotland listed the top ten scams of 2020 in their 'scam share' reporting bullet as: Covid scams, bank scams, HMRC scams, ‘phishing’ messages supposedly from companies such as Amazon, cloned and fake websites, business scams such as fake grants, cold callers, counterfeit goods, misleading energy marketing, and the illegal puppy trade.
Head of operations with Advice Direct Scotland, Marjorie Gibson, said: “Over the past year, scammers have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic to prey on Scots.
“In what has been a tough year for everyone, it’s sickening that unscrupulous fraudsters have made life even tougher for many Scots by exploiting a public health crisis.
“It’s increasingly difficult to spot scams and there is absolutely no shame in being caught out, as the scammers’ tactics are very persuasive.”
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