Research finds that more than 400,000 Scots have been the victim of a financial scam

More than 400,000 people in Scotland have fallen victim to a financial scam at some point in their lives, according to new research.

The study carried out by Bank of Scotland and YouGov found one in 10 had lost out to a fraudster while one in three people (29%) knew someone who has been duped.

Three quarters (78%) said they can keep up with potential risks while 84% feel confident they would be able to spot a financial scam.

However only a third (33%) reported they had been targeted and were able to put a stop to it.

Paul Davis, Bank of Scotland fraud and financial crime director, said: “Scots are confident in their ability to spot a fraudster, yet it is clear from our research that many people still get caught out when it comes to scams.

“Fraudsters have adapted to changing technology and are using ever more sophisticated tactics, making them more difficult to spot.

“We’re encouraging people to talk to friends and family about fraud, so that more people are aware of how to identify the tell-tale signs of a scam.

“If you suspect you’ve been targeted, it’s important to contact your bank immediately.”

The research, commissioned to coincide with Citizens Advice Scotland’s Scams Awareness 2019, found the most common ways for fraudsters to target victims were through phone calls (37%) and fake emails (36%).

Some also reported they had been contacted on social media (5%), company websites (4%) and via text (4%).