Over recent weeks, a number of high value frauds have been carried out in the Edinburgh area, whereby elderly victims have been “cold called” by individuals (fraudsters) purporting to be from various banks.
The victims are told that there are issues with their investments and that they are on a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) “red flag” list, where security concerns have been raised against their funds.
The victims are then instructed by the fraudster to set up new bank accounts in their own name (“safe accounts”), amalgamate their funds and then transfer all funds onto these new accounts
. There are occasions when the fraudster will make attempts to download software onto the victims electronic devices and then control their future financial activities. The funds are thereafter transferred into cryptocurrency.
The public should remember these 4 key points:
Banks do not cold call customers with such instructions.
The public should fully safeguard their savings from criminals.
Do not act on instructions provided by unknown callers.
Do not give any personal information to callers which would enable them to access your finances.
If in any doubt about the legitimacy of callers, make direct contact with your bank branch, your bank customer services or your investment company.
Advice is also listed on the following websites –
http://citizensadvice.org.uk/…/check-if-something-might…
http://scotland.police.uk/advice-and…/scams-and-frauds
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