A WARNING has been issued about phone scams after an elderly Lochwinnoch couple were nearly conned out of £20,000.

On the morning of Monday, August 3, the 79-year-old woman and 85-year-old man were contacted by a fraudster with a foreign accent who told them he was investigating corruption at their bank.

While speaking with the couple, the man managed to obtain their bank details and, without their knowledge, he applied for a bank loan of £20,000 in their name.

The scammer then instructed the OAPs to visit their local branch and move the money by transfer to a fraudulent account.

At around 11.20am the following day, the couple went to the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Johnstone and attempted to transfer the cash.

However, staff followed banking protocols and contacted the police.

They were then able to cancel the loan and change the couple’s bank details.

Police have urged Renfrewshire residents to be on their guard when dealing with cold callers.

They have stressed that people should never give their bank details or other personal information to anyone they do not know or trust.

Inspector Allan O’Hare, head of community policing for Renfrewshire, said: “Please contact police on 101 for further advice and to report if you have fallen victim or fear you have fallen victim to a telephone scam.

“Anyone can become a victim and there should be no embarrassment in coming forward.”

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