Fraudsters have stolen around £750,000 from residents after pretending to be from their bank.

Scammers have targeted locals from Tayside, claiming to be from their bank's fraud team and stating their accounts are under a security threat.

They are then encouraged to move money to a fictitious "safe" account operated by the fraudsters.

Police Scotland is now urging members of the public to remain vigilant and to hang up immediately if they suspect a phone call is from scammers.

Detective inspector Iain McPhail said: "I would like to remind the public, if fraud has been committed on your account, banks will never contact you direct and ask you to transfer money to another account.

"If they do hang up immediately.

"If you are suspicious contact the bank on the correct number you have for them and do it on a telephone separate to the one that the initial call was received."

Mr McPhail said bank staff will never ask about personal information and assets held at other financial organisations over the phone.

"If the bank calls you on a daily basis asking about your welfare or encouraging you to transfer more money to other accounts, please contact your family or a friend to discuss," he added.

Anyone who suspects they may have been targeted by scammers is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.