Helensburgh police in fraudulent caller warning to residents

Police were approached last week by an elderly woman, who stays at the Kings Court sheltered housing facility in West King Street, after she was contacted by someone reporting to be from BT.

The woman is said to have been advised that there was a fault on the line and told she would be arrested if she did not deal with it. She hung up after being asked to press 1 to speak with an engineer or call a separate number.

Concerned that other vulnerable residents may be convinced to pass on any bank details, the woman reported the incident to the home manager, who then reported it to the BT fraud department.

Police say the number used by the potential scammer was 02031 290 626, and have reminded residents to be suspicious of any unknown numbers.

The incident is the latest of several reports of bogus calls – either in person or over the phone – in Helensburgh in recent months. Bogus workers offering roofing, building and garden work were reported in early May, while someone with fake ID pretended to be from a reputable local window cleaning firm in February.