We’d like to remind local businesses and members of the public to be on their guard following a large increase in the amount of telephone scams over the past few days.

Since our social media post and press release yesterday, 16 more local companies have reported to us that they have been contacted by telephone scammers.

Some have lost a lot of money and we want to make sure no one else falls victim to these scammers.

The scam involves a person calling you and pretending to be from a local bank’s Fraud Department. They will then try and trick you into making a fraudulent transaction.

They may also try to get you to download the app Team Viewer, or something similar, in order to access your bank account.

Our advice:

• Your bank will never ask you to transfer money or ask you for your pin, password or passcode.

• Do not click on any links from unknown callers or download any software.

• Hang up if you think you are talking to a scammer.

• Notify your bank immediately if you think you may be the victim of fraud or a scam.

• Then report the matter to the RGP.