Scam artists on the rise in East Ren

Vulnerable members of the community have been warned to remain vigilant following a number of fraudulent cold calls.
Police, with ERC's trading standards teams, are cracking down on cold callers.Police, with ERC's trading standards teams, are cracking down on cold callers.
Police, with ERC's trading standards teams, are cracking down on cold callers.

After an 87-year-old woman from Neilston was targeted by a scammer on Saturday, East Ren police warn this could be the first of many.

“These things come in clusters. I have no doubt this won’t be the last we hear of it,” said Inspector Alan Dickson.

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The incident involved a man asking the elderly lady for her pin number over the phone because of a supposed problem with her bank card.

He assured the women that in half an hour, a courier would arrive at her door to collect the “faulty” card.

Alan added: “Your bank will never ask for your pin number over the phone.

“If you are in any doubt, hang up and phone your bank.

“We are doing educational preventative work in the elderly community, as elderly and vulnerable people are being targeted.

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“They will persist till they get somebody who falls for it.”

It’s another incidence of sophisticated fraud in the area, following a scam involving skimming devices on cash machines, which was common earlier this year.

Meanwhile, a prowler on the loose has been arrested.

A 29-year-old Thornliebank male has been charged with theft after he was seen coming out of gardens by homeowners on Rouken Glen Road on Monday night at approximately 7.30pm. He attended Glasgow Sheriff Court the next day.

Inspector Dickson added: “This is time of year when opportunistic crime becomes more prevalent. Be aware of your security.”