A WARNING has been issued to East Renfrewshire residents amid fears of a surge in online scams.

Fraudsters are focusing on holidays, tickets for major sporting and music events and unsolicited emails to catch out unsuspecting web users, according to police.

Officers have joined forces with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) and the Royal Bank of Scotland to release a new advice guide, called the Little Book of Big Scams, to help people avoid falling victim to the latest swindles.

It warns about common scams to look out for and provides advice on what people should do if they or someone they know is targeted.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “New scams are constantly emerging, so it is no wonder that we see businesses and individuals fall into a trap.

“Prevention and education are key, so this guide is packed full of practical advice.

“The impact can be emotional as well as financial, so I urge everyone to download and share the guide with family and friends, so they know what to do and who to call on if they become a victim of fraud this summer.”

The guide includes advice on how to spot holiday offers that are too good to be true, as well as urging those seeking tickets to sports and music events to buy from official promoters.

Jude McCorry, SBRC chief executive, said: “The travel and tourism sectors are still recovering from the pandemic, evidenced by what we have seen recently with delays and cancellations due to staffing issues.

“Scammers seek to take advantage of would-be travellers who have been left high and dry and are seeking fast solutions.

“This guide gives people the tools to tackle these scammers head on and so lead to fewer fraud victims.”

For more information or to download the guide, go online at www.sbrcentre.co.uk/the-little-book-of-big-scams.