HELENSBURGH Police have been made aware of a current scam trying to dupe unsuspecting victims into purchasing iTunes or UKash and are warning people to be aware.

The criminals involved in these crimes are often very convincing and pretend to be from large well-known organisations, claiming that victims owe substantial outstanding debts and using threats that they could lose their home or be arrested unless they purchase vouchers or make payments to pay the ficticious debts.

Anyone can be targeted by this scam and victims often panic into providing personal information, banking details or buying vouchers.

Police warn that large companies will not contact contact customers in this way and will never ask people to purchase vouchers or transfer funds directly to them in this way.

Police advise that anyone contacted via phonecall, letter, email or text message, being asked to provide personal information, who is doubtful, to end the call, not engage or provide any personal information.

Anyone who is unsure should obtain a current legitimate contact number for the company concerned to confirm if the contact was genuine or not.

Anyone who is concerned they have been a victim of this type of scam or who is concerned that a neighbour or relative is being targeted, is asked to contact their local police office by calling Police Scotland on 101 for further advice.