Bank scammers target Peebles
Published 15 Oct 2010 09:30
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A FURIOUS teenager from Peebles has spoken of his anger after thieves scammed him out of more than £1000 this week.
And 19-year-old Michael Brown wasn’t alone - more than 20 Peebles households were targeted by conmen claiming to be working for the Bank of Scotland before asking for account details.
Graduate Michael was at his home in Glensax Road on Tuesday when he received the call from someone claiming to be from his bank and offering him a new bank card.
The male caller asked him to confirm his account number and sort code as proof of his identity. It wasn’t until Michael was asked to give details of his overdraft and current funds that he became suspicious and hung up.
Michael then contacted the Peebles branch of his bank who assured him that they would never ask for such details. And when they checked his account £1,100 was missing.
Michael said: “It’s pretty much cleared out my current account.
“I’m so angry that I was tricked like that, I’m looking for a job and can’t afford to lose so much money.”
A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police warned people to vigilant against such scams.
He said: " We’ve had around 20 people in the Peebles area contact us who have all been targeted by this scam.
"Banks will never ask for your account details over the phone - if someone does then immediately hang up the call and contact your local bank as well as the police.”
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 15 Oct 10
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