Beware scam calls from local numbers

Trading Standards and Police Scotland are warning local people to be on their guard for scam calls which appear to originate from local telephone numbers with STD code 01856.

With caller display now widespread people are more likely to answer when they see the caller appears to be a local number.

This week, reports have been received about callers with an English accent who address the householder by name. They may also mention their address adding some plausibility that the call may be genuine.

The caller has gone on to claim that they are calling from the Bank about unauthorised transactions on the account and run through various transactions that are apparently being processed, asking the householder if they have authorised these transactions. The householder is then asked to provide card details so that the scam can be stopped.

Your Bank will never ask you to verify account details over the phone or by other means and you should end the conversation and report this immediately to your Bank.

You can also seek advice from Trading Standards on 01856873535, trading.standards@orkney.gov.uk or to Police Scotland on 101.