FRAUDSTERS stole £5000 from a vulnerable victim during a spate of telephone banking scams.

The victim, from East Renfrewshire, lost the cash to scammers posing as banking staff who tricked them into giving their account security details.

East Renfrewshire council has now issued a warning to residents after five people were conned in one day by the hoaxers.

The local authority said it was mainly vulnerable and elderly people who had been targeted over the last seven days, with thousands of pounds being stolen.

The scam involves residents being told their bank account is under attack, and they are asked to hang up the phone and dial the number on the back of the card to confirm they are genuine.

But the cruel con artists on the other end of the line don't hang up, instead pretending to be genuine bank staff and asking for security details.

Area commander for East Renfrewshire, chief inspector Angela Carty said: “It is important that everyone is aware that banks and building societies will never ask anyone to disclose their PIN number or to transfer money to another account.

They will never come to your home to collect money, cards or cheques or ask you to purchase goods using your card.

"Everyone should be wary of cold callers who ask you to call them back and of fraudsters keeping your telephone line open when you think they have hung up.

"It is important to remember never to disclose any details such as PIN numbers, passwords and banks details to anyone on the telephone and that you can terminate telephone calls at any time.

"If you are suspicious of any telephone call please contact the police by calling 101."

Locals are being warned to hang up the phone if they suspect anything untoward and contact their local branch to report the incident.

Principal prevention officer, Paul Holland added: "There are simple practical steps you can take to protect against scams.

"We can help residents placed in vulnerable situations by implementing a bespoke prevention pack to protect them against telephone, doorstep, mail and online fraud."