By Neil Trainis

Scammers in England and Scotland have attempted to deceive people out of money by pretending to be pharmacists over the phone and asking them to hand over bank card details so their medicines can be delivered to their homes.

West Bergholt Pharmacy in Essex took to Facebook to warn local residents that calls are being made from people claiming to work at the pharmacy telling them to pay for deliveries.

The pharmacy made it clear on the social media platform that is does not charge for deliveries and urged people not to give any bank card details to anyone making such claims.

“We have been notified that there is a scam going about where people are phoning claiming to be from West Bergholt Pharmacy demanding card details so medication can be delivered. Just a note that this is in no way connected to West Bergholt Pharmacy and we DO NOT CHARGE for delivering medication,” the pharmacy said.

In Scotland, con artists in Fife used the same tactic on elderly people, according to the Courier Evening Telegraph who reported that police warned residents “to be vigilant following a spate of unsolicited phone calls.”

Sergeant Rebecca Sommerville from Police Scotland’s resolution team east urged people not to “trust any unexpected correspondence.”

“If you feel the need to reply to correspondence to check the authenticity of a contact, please, only use the company’s verified official website and the communication methods detailed upon it,” she said.

“Especially where money is being requested, be it physically withdrawing it from the bank or the electronic transferring of it, always, stop, think and check with a friend, relative or neighbour before taking any action. Any victims of such crimes, or anyone with any concerns can contact Police Scotland via 101."