CONCERNS have been raised about email accounts being hacked in East Lothian.

Gifford Community Council has raised concerns that a number of local residents have reported that their email accounts have been hacked after receiving scam emails.

The group says that residents have been receiving emails from someone claiming to have a sore throat and who cannot speak on the phone.

The email is then followed by one asking for money, using the guise of helping a sick relative.

The community council has advised residents to be wary of scams.

Adam White, chair of the group, said: “Several people locally have had their email accounts hacked recently.

“If you receive an email from someone saying that they have a very sore throat/laryngitis and can’t speak on the phone, it is almost certainly a scam.

“Don’t reply to the email and don’t use email to contact the person (speak to them face-to-face or on the phone).

“Anyone who replies to one of these scam emails will get a further email asking for money or Amazon vouchers – often under the guise of helping a sick relative.

“The National Cyber Security Centre website has lots of advice on what to do you if you are hacked, or if you have received a scam email (ncsc.gov.uk).”

Police Scotland advised members of the public to look out for warning signs of possible phishing scams, in which scammers attempt to acquire sensitive data, such as bank account numbers, through a fraudulent solicitation in email or on a website, in which the perpetrator masquerades as a legitimate business or reputable person.

Spelling errors, unrecognised links and generic terms in the email such as “dear account holder” are amongst the signs of a possible scam.

Further details can be found at scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/cyber-related-financial-crime