CONSUMER service chiefs in Fife are urging vulnerable groups, including older people, single parents and low-income families, to be aware of scammers this Christmas.

Fife Council's environmental services consumer education team says people are likely in the festive season to fall victim to scams that promise quick and easy cash rewards, especially in the current economic climate.

Older customers have been identified as more likely to be targeted, but people of all ages can be caught out.

One member of staff at the Mail was targeted by scamsters last week who claimed he was a big bucks Spanish lottery winner.

The Mail worker was told the cash could be paid into a bank account of his choice and was provided with a payment processing form asking for all his bank details.

"When I got the letter the first thing I noticed was how professional it looked," he said.

"The worrying thing is, people could be taken in by the quality and standard of the letter and hand over their bank details to these crooks."

Fife Council's trading standards expert, Geoff Bates, said: "The repercussions can be devastating, with many victims suffering depression, low self-esteem, and their confidence destroyed."