POLICE have put out a strong warning after four members of the public were targeted by fraudsters last week.

Officers are now appealing for information following three separate frauds in Arran.

Between Monday, January 19 and Thursday,  January 22, four unsuspecting members of the public from Arran were targeted by fraudsters in three separate incidents and have since been defrauded of thousands of pounds by obtaining their bank account information or bank card and PIN details.

Each victim, a man, aged 29 years, and three women, aged 54, 63 and 69 years, have had thousands of pounds taken from their accounts. On one occasion, a five figure sum was stolen.

Detective Inspector William McDicken, Ayrshire CID, said:  “They do not appear to be targeting a particular type of person – but seem to be skilled at convincing the victims that they are genuine bank officials and in obtaining the necessary bank account or PIN details.

“These people are heartless and have no regard for how this is going to affect those involved.

“On each occasion the person who calls is female and speaks confidently in a Scottish accent that can not be described as from a particular region.

"They convince the person  that their account has been compromised in some way before duping them into revealing personal account information.

“We are working closely with the people and the bank concerned to try identify those responsible for these crimes.

"In the meantime we would ask that people be on their guard and follow the safety advice.” The safety advice includes: Banks will never legitimately ask anyone for their PIN, either over the phone or face to face, even if you call them. Nor will banks send couriers to uplift bank cards.

If anyone calls you asking for this information don’t give it.

Take a note of any name that the caller uses or any phone number they provide you with as these can be helpful to police enquiries. Then contact your bank using the telephone number on your statements or account information and advise them what has happened.

It is important not to call back using the number the caller has left with you as this will simply reconnect you with the criminal or an accomplice.

Detective Inspector McDicken added: “If you think either yourself or a relative have been a victim of this scam, you should contact your bank to check that all is in order with your accounts and report it to local police if you find that you have been targeted” Anyone with any information which might help police enquiries is urged to contact police via the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where details can be given in confidence.