Urgent warnings in PR Scotland.
The Brechin Advertiser heeded warnings to older people in Angus with the threat of bogus callers and rogue traders rising due to the arrival of warmer weather.
Vulnerable householders, in particular those over 60, are increasingly becoming the favoured targets of criminals who exploit the change of seasons to dupe home owners out of money.
The warning comes from the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC), as part of a new campaign it is executing to raise awareness of various issues that can place older people at risk of financial harm.
It is commonplace for criminals to turn up to offer homeowners the attractive prospect of having discounted repairs and improvement work carried out on their properties to spruce them up as the weather starts to improve.
However, the work is either shoddy or grossly overpriced – and sometimes cash and valuables are stolen.