A MAUCHLINE pensioner has told of her fear after almost losing money to fraudsters – a week after a granddad warned against scam phone calls.

Jess McCartney contacted police after a scammer phoned her claiming to be from her bank.

The 83-year-old’s experience follows the Chronicle’s report on Ian Young from New Cumnock, who was targeted in a similar scam.

As in Ian’s experience, an automated voice told Jess that £600 had been taken from her account and instructed her to press ‘one’ for further information.

She told the Chronicle: “I pressed ‘one’ and then I heard a foreign voice. I just knew right away. I hung up, I just slammed down the phone.

“I was in an awful state. I was in tears because that’s your life savings.

“I phoned Nationwide and the lady said it’s all right, no money’s been taken out. I was crying on the phone. I did get a right fright.

“I feel so sorry for people who are in the early stages of dementia. It’s a shame. They will give that information over and their money’s away.

“I read about that man in the Chronicle and I realised the same thing happened to me, only he didn’t press ‘one’ – I did. It’s a horrible, horrible world we live in.”

Safer communities officer, PC Marshall, said: “Incidents like this can often be very upsetting and we would encourage people to report such incidents to the police to allow investigations to take place and intelligence to be gathered.”

Paul Todd, regulatory services manager at East Ayrshire Council, said: “Our Trading Standards Service are happy to give advice to anyone who has been affected by a scam. We are also keen to receive any information that can be provided on potential scams.”