NFU Scotland has issued a warning after several farmers in the Borders and Angus received bogus phonecalls from would-be fraudsters over the weekend.

On Monday, NFUS said that several members had expressed concern after having received phone calls from would-be fraudsters who attempted to strip thousands of pounds from their farm accounts. Although those who became suspicious of the callers managed to avoid losing any money, the union revealed that in recent weeks a small number of Scottish farmers have lost "substantial sums" as a result of phone fraud.

Given that reports of fraudsters contacting farmers are increasing and businesses have been affected, NFUS called on farmers to be vigilant. In recent cases, the suspect callers have claimed to represent the farmer's bank and told them that suspicious payments or cheques have been set up or drawn against their farm accounts.  They then ask farmers to provide account details to make the account secure, however, once the details have been handed over the fraudsters can gain access to the account themselves.

NFU Scotland's Finance Director Colin Gordon commented, "We are placing members on high alert as the number of farm businesses being targeted by fraudsters continues to grow.  This is such a busy time of year for farming with lambing, calving and sowing that farmers could be easily caught out by alarming calls from people claiming to represent their bank's fraud department." 

"The banks have asked us to remind farmers that there are a number of simple things to remember to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of deception. Firstly, your bank will never phone or email you and ask for your account or password information.  They will never ask you to make a payment over the phone by using your online account.

"Secondly, if you receive a call claiming to be from your bank and they suggest that you call them back, ensure that you can hear a dial tone first or, where possible, call the bank using a separate phone line from the one on which you received the inbound call.  That will prevent a fraudster holding the line open to intercept your return call."

Gordon added, "Farmers need to be aware – but not alarmed – by this scam but any farmer who is concerned should contact their bank."