The 85-year-old from Heathhall, Dumfries was phoned on October 31 and told that there had been an attempt by someone to take money from her bank account.
She was asked to transfer money from her account to another account and she made a number of transactions totalling more than £40,000.
She later discovered the call was a scam and that she had been defrauded of the money.
Detective Sergeant Billy Thomson of Dumfries and Galloway Police’s Fraud and Financial Investigation Unit said: “This is a particularly despicable scam as it uses the trust that local people have in their local police to give credibility to their scam.
“Similar types of scams have come to light across the central belt inScotlandhowever this is the first time we have had a report of one like this in Dumfries and Galloway.
“This is yet another stark reminder to people that no matter who someone claims to be on the telephone, never ever give out any personal details or banking details. Banks, building societies and the police will never ask for this type of information over the phone.”
Police are also keen to hear from anyone who may have been approached in a similar manner and ask them to get in touch if they can help.
