CRIMINALS have been posing as police officers and cold-calling householders in a bid to dupe them into revealing their bank details.

Organised criminal gangs are using the new telephone scam to steal thousands of pounds from unsuspecting bank customers.

Police Scotland warned people not to be taken in by the fraudsters.

Victims of the scam are called at home by someone claiming to be a police officer.

The caller tricks them into disclosing private financial information and requests that cash be transferred into a different account.

A police spokesman said: "At no time would police or your bank ever ask for your personal details over the phone.

"If you are ever in any doubt of the origin of a call, hang up the phone."

The majority of the incidents have taken place across Central Scotland and there are fears criminals posing as police officers could target Glasgow.

The warning comes as it was revealed victims of a telephone bank scam have been conned Scots out of £650,000 in the last six weeks.

Police are teaming up with Royal Bank of Scotland to warn people about fraudsters who call up members of the public claiming to be from their bank.

Victims are told that there has been suspicious activity on their account and are advised to transfer their money to a different account.

As part of the awareness campaign, all public branches of the main banks will display posters reminding people never to give out their details.

Detective Inspector Arron Clinkscales said: "Those responsible for committing these offences are despicable individuals who mostly prey on the elderly and vulnerable members of our communities.

"It is essential that police and the banking industry work together to address this matter."

Earlier this year, seven people were arrested as part of an investigation into alleged thieves pretending to be police officers in Edinburgh.

Police said that 19 thefts were committed by people allegedly impersonating officers.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk