THERE'S been a crackdown on bogus workers in Fife and banks have been urged to watch out for fraudsters targeting the elderly.

Extra police officers were drafted in to 'hot spot' areas for doorstep crime while drivers were stopped in a joint operation with trading standards.

As a result, 13 drivers were issued with fixed penalty tickets, five vehicles were served with Vehicle and Operators Services Agency prohibition notices and several motorists reported for road traffic offences and one for no insurance.

Inspector Jane Combe said: "Bogus callers pretend to be someone they’re not, such as council staff, meter readers, charity collectors and even police officers.

"We want to equip our community to keep cold callers out of their homes and protect themselves against doorstep crime."

During the operation, builders merchants were visited by police and banks were reminded of their responsibilities to vulnerable and elderly persons who may be attempting to withdraw large sums of cash to pay for bogus work related activity.

Inspector Combe added: "Rogue traders work by trying to pressurise householders into buying a product or service that they don’t actually need.

"We recommend that people never pay for goods or services to strangers arriving at their door, and instead ensure that they utilise the Fife Council Trusted Trader scheme.

“We also want to reassure and help the most vulnerable members of our community with regards to home security and crime prevention."