Scammers are targeting Highland families by pretending to offer a replacement for free school meals.
North residents have been receiving text messages from individuals posing as members of the Highland Council and the Scottish Government requesting bank details to offer money to cover free school meals.
Depute Provost of Inverness councillor Bet McAllister said she was “disappointed” following news of the scheme but hopes the council will learn a valuable lesson.
She said: “You just don’t think people will be so cruel to do that but there are people out there who only think about themselves. I’m was really so disappointed when it came out but people just have to be alert and careful.
“At a time like this, most of us have never ever experienced this. Frankly, who are these people? They think ‘I’ll get onto this’ and they will get money before people realise it is a scam. People will have signed up to it and given them all their details. I think the council hasn’t thought it out properly.
“Hopefully the council will realise now. We should just send cheques to the families of the children that are on free meals or some other form.”
The scam comes just days after questions were raised over how school meal provisions will be provided across the north following the closure of schools last week.
A Highland Council spokesman said: “Highland Council Trading Standards are constantly monitoring national scam levels and new scams that develop.
“Over the last week a number of scams have come to our attention, and we ask everyone to please be particularly careful when you are contacted by text or email.
“We are aware that the Government are sending out genuine text messages, the scammers have taken advantage of this, and we have seen scam attempts which masquerade as being from Government sources, offering grants etc.
“Our advice is to separately engage with the Government/Council website and follow the guidance given.”