WEST FIFERS are being warned not to give out personal information over the phone as police probe phone scams in the area.

John Park (42), a partner and director in marketing firm Condensed Creative, was targeted last Thursday by someone trying to get money from his business.

He told the Press, “It was quite a short call from a gentleman on a withheld number saying he was from ‘The Police Club’ and that he was looking for sponsorship for the ‘charity’.

“He said the ‘charity’ were setting up a publication and to get it printed and published they needed £150 from me.

“In return I would have my company name associated with the venture.

“He claimed that the ‘charity’ worked with local youths who had lost their way or been in trouble – when you hear it being associated with the police you think it must be real.

“I had a funny feeling it was a scam from the beginning as he wasn’t letting on too much info.

“No identity was given from the man and he was kind of vague.

“He never once mentioned anything to do with Dunfermline or Fife but he did know my company’s name so he had been fishing around.

“My wife and I have just started this new business and we have had calls over the last few weeks that have been legit from water-cooler companies and the like.

“The man was very keen to get me to say I’d hand over the money.

“While he didn’t directly ask for my banking details he was pushing me to say how much he could put me down for and started to go into detail about how he would like the money to be transferred.

“When he realised he wasn’t going to get anything out of me he just seemed to give up so I ended the call.

“I’m slightly annoyed by the call using the premise of coming from the police as a lot of people might be taken in by it.

“I hope savvy, intelligent people would realise what is happening.” After receiving the call, John called the police who confirmed that there was no such venture and that it was nothing to do with them.

A police spokesman told the Press that this was not an isolated incident and that another scam is currently on the go in the area, also trying to get bank account details.

He said, “A woman got two calls yesterday (Monday) about 11am asking if she was a pensioner or a driver as she may be entitled to qualify for fuel vouchers. They then tried to obtain her bank account details.

“We are aware of numerous fraudsters telephoning vulnerable or elderly people purporting to be genuine businesses but trying to scam victims.

“Please be vigilant, check for contact details and call these people back. While the police can do very little about a telephone call, please get in touch as we do collate and record details.

“The more details we have, the more we can do.”