A MAN is expected to appear in court next week charged with impersonating a police officer linked to an alleged £12,000 fraud in Cove.

Police Scotland said the 40-year-old has been charged with the reported crime and will appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on November 4.

Earlier in October, Helensburgh police issued a warning to the public about a fraud trend with callers pretending to be officers.

They reminded residents that police never ask for bank details or to transfer funds or withdraw cash.

In a statement last month, they said: "You can verify the authenticity of any contact from Police Scotland by taking a note of the officer's name and shoulder number and contacting 101."

Police also issued a list of things officers never do:

  • Ask for your bank card PIN number
  • Ask you to transfer money from your account
  • Ask you to withdraw cash or buy foreign currency
  • Ask you to hand cash or bank cards to a courier or anyone else
  • Ask you to pay a fine or fee to them or a third party over the phone or online
  • Ask for remote access to your phone, computer or any other device
  • Ask you for online banking login details including passwords
  • Ask you to enter your personal details into an attachment they send you or a website they direct you to
  • Ask you to assist in an investigation by doing any of the above
  • Ask you to keep their contact with you a secret and not tell anyone
  • Ask you to memorise lines to say if bank staff ask you any questions
  • Be threatening or abusive towards you.

Police added: "If you experience any of the above, or anything else which makes you feel uncomfortable, seems unusual, unexpected or simply doesn't feel right, stop.

"You should take note of the officer's details and contact 101 to authenticate these details."