Fraudsters don't take holidays. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call the bank directly using a verified number.

Avoiding scam phone calls during Christmas is important to protect yourself from fraud. Here are some tips to help you stay safe…

Don't Trust Caller ID. Scammers can spoof caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate source. Always be cautious, even if the number looks familiar

If you receive a call that starts with a recorded message, hang up immediately. These are often used by scammers

Use your phone's built-in features or third-party apps to block calls from unknown or suspicious numbers

Never give out personal or financial information over the phone. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information this way

If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call the official number listed on their website to verify the call

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to phone scams this holiday season.

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Police Scotland's North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.  The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function.  Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.  These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues.  They are assisted by the division's Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.