Fraud warning for farmers

FOLLOWING a number of fraudulent phone calls to farmers in the Galashiels area, the Scottish Government’s rural payments and inspections division (RPID) yesterday issued an urgent warning about a potential security risk.

Some customers have been contacted by a potential fraudster claiming to work for RPID and, in one case, asking for bank details.

For anyone in doubt, the RPID reminded customers they would not ask for any customers’ bank details over the phone or by e-mail. Neither would the RPID ask to change a customer’s bank details through a phone or e-mail request.

Anyone receiving any suspicious call should inform the police and/or their bank immediately.