Police in South West Fife are urging householders to be on their guard when dealing with people knocking on their door and claiming to be collecting money.
The warning has been issued after two children aged 10 and 11 went door-to-door in Rosyth with home-made sponsor forms claiming to be doing a sponsored walk in aid of various charities. Community Sergeant for Rosyth, Tony Rogers, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the householders who brought this to our attention.
“As with all bogus-type crimes it is the elderly and the vulnerable who are often targeted and where they are persuaded to part with money they can ill afford.
“On this occasion it was two local children, who have now been dealt with, and where their mother was very supportive when the police became involved.
“I would also like to take the chance to remind all householders that when people come to the door collecting milk money, window cleaning money or where they claim to be collecting on behalf of charity, that they make sure they are paying the right person.
“We have seen a couple of instances recently where householders have parted with money, only to receive a call from the genuine collector and the initial caller was bogus. Again, it is the elderly and vulnerable who are favoured by these unscrupulous individuals and my best advice would be to ask any collector for ID or some other form of proof, such as a business card, to prove that the caller is genuine.”