15/09/2025

Scottish Borders Council is reminding residents to be vigilant following a report of someone purporting to be from the Council and asking for bank details over a phonecall.

Residents should be extremely wary of unsolicited emails and phone calls and if in any doubt, should not give out personal details or click on associated links.

If you have received an email or call relating to SBC that you are concerned about, contact the Council on 0300 100 1800. For those with community alarms, if you receive a call in relation to the alarm system you can press the alarm button to speak directly to a genuine call handler for reassurance.

See the Police Scotland website for more information about protecting yourself from bogus phone callers or identity theft, fraud and scams. 

Recommendations include:

• Consider making your phone number ex-directory. 
• Don’t give out any personal information unless you are the one who made the call and you are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to. 
• Don’t give out your credit card or bank card details to strangers on the telephone. 
• Never tell somebody your bank PIN number, even if they claim to be the bank or police. If the caller is genuine, they will never ask for this information.  
• Don’t give out information which may infer that you live alone, are older or vulnerable. 

Never send money to anyone who claims to have a prize for you.