Aberdeenshire resident loses thousands of pounds in payment fraud

An Aberdeenshire resident lost £4500 to scammers at the weekend in what is commonly known as an Authorised Push Payment Fraud (APP).

APP scams happen when someone is tricked into sending money to a fraudster posing as a genuine payee.

With APP scams, criminals often try to persuade people to take action in a hurry. They make them panic before they have time to think it through properly.

PC Michael Urquhart of the North East Crime Reduction Team said: “Be suspicious of a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a position of authority.

“Take your time, don’t be pushed into making a rushed decision and speak to friends and family regardless of what the criminals tell you.

“A genuine caller from the police, bank, HMRC or any trusted organisation will never call to ask you to verify your personal banking details, pin number or password.

“If you are the victim of a scam contact your bank as soon as possible as they may be able to stop the transfer.

Police Scotland has a wealth of advice regarding phone and cyber fraud which people can access online on its website.