Push Payment Frauds

PC Irvine from Police Scotland North East Crime Reduction Unit would like to remind people of the ongoing issues with Authorised Push Payment Fraud. In the past week, two Grampian residents, have each lost six figure sums to criminals via this fraud.

PC Irvine said:

"We continue to see examples of criminals pretending to be from your bank, making contact normally via phone, to warn you of fake suspicious activity on your bank account or that criminals have cloned your bank cards. They tell you they’ve set up a safe account for you to transfer your funds into however this is actually their account. This call is often followed up with a second call claiming to be from the Police, requesting your assistance with the investigation. The Police will never ask you to transfer money or purchase items on their behalf for evidence."

How to Protect Yourself

• Be suspicious of a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a position of authority. If in doubt, hang up, and verify, not via the numbers given in the call. Where possible use a different phone line or mobile to make the call.
• Take down the person’s details (name, authority, branch, department etc.) and verify using independent source contact details.
• Speak to friends and family if you are unsure, regardless what the criminals tell you about the enquiry remaining undercover.
• A genuine official from Police, Bank, HMRC or any trusted source will NEVER call you to ask you to verify your personal banking details, Pin, password or threaten you with arrest.
• The Police will NEVER ask you transfer money, withdraw money on their behalf, buy items on their behalf for evidence or attend at your house to collect cash, bank cards or PIN numbers.
• NEVER transfer money into another account unless you are 100% certain of the account owner.
• Your bank will NEVER set up a safe account for you.
• If you fall for a scam contact your bank as soon as possible, as they may, be able to stop the transfer.

If you receive a suspicious message via email, website or text message, click the link to find what actions you can take:

Where to report scams