Fife pensioner loses over £400 in vishing scam

Police in Fife are issuing a warning to the public after a woman fell victim to a '˜vishing' scam in the Leven area.
The woman spoke to someone who claimed her computer and tablet had been compromisedThe woman spoke to someone who claimed her computer and tablet had been compromised
The woman spoke to someone who claimed her computer and tablet had been compromised

On Saturday (August 27), the 68-year-old reported receiving a phone call from a man claiming to be from a computing company.

He said that the security of her computer and tablet device had been compromised, and that payment was required to stop this.

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She provided him with her card details and later discovered that over £400 had been taken from her account.

Sergeant Craig Fyall, of Levenmouth Police Station, said: “Perpetrators of ‘vishing’ scams claim to be from legitimate organisations to obtain personal or bank details.

“They can be very convincing and try to take advantage of people’s fears and vulnerabilities.

“My message is to always be wary of callers requesting personal information.

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“If this happens to you, advise the caller that you will contact the company yourself to discuss this and hang up.

“Either go into a branch or find their phone number and call them back on a different phone to verify this.

“These people often target the elderly and vulnerable so please advise any friends, neighbours or relatives to be wary of these types of calls.”

Anyone with information about ‘vishing’ can contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.