'One in ten' call centres targeted by fraud gangs

Around one in ten of Glasgow's call centres has been targeted by criminal gangs.

Customers' sensitive details are being passed on to fraudsters through a variety of scams, according to police.

Gang members are planted inside offices or employees are forced to provide them, often using violence.

The details are then used to steal identities and fraudulently set up accounts or transfer money.

Detective Chief Inspector Derek Robertson of Strathclyde Police told the BBC's Newsnight Scotland programme: "We know of organised crime groups who are placing people within the call centres so that they can steal customers' data and carry out fraud and money laundering.

"We also know of employees leaving the call centres and being approached and coerced whether physically, violently or encouraged to make some extra money."

DCI Robertson told the show, screened this evening: "I would say approximately 10% (of Glasgow call centres) have been infiltrated in the past and we are working very hard to reduce that number."

There are more than 300 call centres in the Glasgow area. UNISON said that most call handlers working for established companies are well trained and well monitored.

Dave Watson, the union's regional officer for Scotland, said that the biggest concern over security is about out-sourcing companies that have high staff turnovers.

The danger is when employers are desperate to recruit anyone to fulfil a particular contract and the same high standards aren't maintained, he told the show.