A TULLIBODY pensioner lost around £5000 to scammers.

Clackmannanshire Council's Trading Standards Service is warning residents after the man, who wished to remain anonymous, was conned out of his money in an “overpayment scam” around a month ago.

He received an unsolicited call, which he believed was from his internet supplier, advising him that there was an issue with his router.

The conman on the phone said he had a virus on his computer and did a few checks and found that his router was not compatible with his systems.

He was told he would receive compensation of £200 for his inconvenience. He provided bank details and later it appeared that he had been credited approximately £5200.

The pensioner was asked to send the overpayment of £5000 back via a money transfer arrangement.

However, he soon discovered that the £5200 had not cleared and was “pending” - what he transferred back was in fact his own, hard-earned money.

He checked his bank records and explained: “At the bottom [next to the £5200 they've sent] I noticed there was 'pending' – that's when the penny started to drop.”

He tried to cancel the £5000 he had sent back, but it was too late.

The man said he felt “like an idiot”, adding: “Yes, getting conned.”

He warned: “Be very careful and check what's the company before [you complete] any transactions with them.

“And definitely do not send any money to any other country. That's about all I can say.”

Trading Standards says overpayment scams are not uncommon and many consumers and businesses have fallen victim to them.

Perpetrators set short lived operations up, closing them down within a limited time period, making it nearly impossible to be traced by the relevant authorities. Many of the operations originate out with the UK and the EU.

Genuine information given by phone callers can act as “bait” to make the recipient of the call believe that the caller is from a genuine company and is given out to encourage information from the consumer, which the caller does not already have - usually personal bank details, but which the caller will then use to try to obtain funds illegally.

Those who receive a call from someone claiming to be from their bank, telecom supplier or other utility provider, and are asked for details that the company should already have; should advise them that they intend to end the call and take some advice.

Genuine callers should have no issue with this. People are advised to call them back on a number sourced from a statement or bill.

Those unsure about any call can get in touch with Trading Standards by calling 01786 443322 or by emailing tradingstandards@clacks.gov.uk.