POLICE are reminding Borderers to be vigilant following a series of phone scams.

Several telephone banking frauds have included persons claiming to be bank staff and are informing the caller that their account has been compromised and requesting they transfer monies into another account.

The criminals are persistent, target the elderly and can be very convincing on the phone.

Further reports have been received from local residents stating they were receiving telephone calls from persons purporting to be from the Inland Revenue.

The calls claimed that they owed large amounts of money which if not paid immediately then police would be involved.

They then encouraged the caller to pay the money owed immediately by credit card.

A spokesperson for the Police said: “Members of the public are encouraged to sign up to Scottish Borders Alert which is a free network designed to share up to date emergency and crime prevention advice, etc.

“To join go to www.sbalert.co.uk. Leaflets regarding Scottish Borders Alert are also available from your local community officer or Galashiels Police Station.”