Call for Fife pubs to be on guard against phone scam

Fife publicans are being warned by police to be on their guard against a costly scam.

North-east Fife community safety officer Paul Buttercase said two licensed premises had received similar calls from people trying to defraud them in the last week.

“This particular scam is not new but it has not been around for some time and it would appear the criminals may be starting to focus on the Fife area once again,” he said.

It involves a call, generally from a man who gives a forename and says he is a regular customer and the licensee will know him.

There may be further details discussed to embellish the scam. The caller will then ask to borrow a sum of cash that they say they need urgently to finalise the purchase of a vehicle.

No money was handed over in either of these incidents.

“Many licensees are community-minded and are willing to try and assist someone they are led to believe is a regular customer; however, I would urge anyone who receives a similar call to ignore it.”

Information should be passed on to police by calling 101.