A BEITH man has been left over £3,000 out of pocket after being targeted by an phone scam.

And North Ayrshire’s top cop is asking locals to be vigilant, especially around the festive period.

On Thursday, November 30, the 60-year-old was telephoned by a male purporting to be from Microsoft and informed that man that there was a problem with his account and it needed updated.

The fraudsters gained access remotely to the man’s computer and said they had accidentally transferred £3,500 to his account which they said should have been £350 and asked him to transfer the rest back, which he did.

Chief Inspector Brian Shaw said: “Online fraud is a real risk these days and I urge people to be extremely vigilant, especially at this time of year.

“Be vary weary of anyone who contacts you by telephone presenting to be from a bank, building society or other corporation.

“Members of the public will not be asked for passwords or details over the phone and members of the public should protect themselves against this type of crime by being suspicious and challenging these people accordingly.”