Some hints and tips to help you stay vigilant

Scottish Friendly, or any genuine financial services provider, or the police, will never ask you to provide your account details over the phone. If you receive a request like this, end the call and phone your provider back on a number that you know is theirs - not a number the person calling provides to you.

• Before you respond to anything that asks you to share your personal information, ask yourself why they need your details and consider whether the call is expected.

• If you receive anything like a calling card through your door asking for personal details - think twice before sharing anything.

• If someone you don't know contacts you claiming that someone you do know needs help or money, it’s extremely unlikely to be legitimate.

• Don’t make any advanced payments until you're sure the company you’re dealing with is legitimate.

• Use caution when clicking links in emails because scammers will regularly try to get your sensitive personal information in this way by using fake invoices. Even if you believe that an email looks legitimate, be careful before you click on any links.

• If you receive a call, remember that just because the person knows your name or postcode doesn’t mean they're calling for a legitimate purpose.

• Make sure all of your accounts have a strong password, don’t use the same password for multiple accounts and change your passwords regularly.