Buckinghamshire Council raise awareness of scams
36% of British adults were targeted in the first three months of lockdown
Scams can be anything from emails or texts pretending to be from the government to charities asking for cash donations on the doorstep.
As a Friends Against Scams Organisation, Buckinghamshire Council are supporting Scam Awareness Fortnight from today until the 27th June.
Research from Citizens Advice in June 2020 found 36% of British adults were targeted in the first three months of lockdown.
Councillor Arif Hussain, Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Safety, says:
"Our aim as an FAS organisation is to make sure that our residents know how to spot a scam, what to do when they identify a scam, who to report it to, and more importantly how to get help and support if they have fallen victim of a scam.
"Anyone can become a victim of this type of crime and this is why it's absolutely vital that we all know how to spot a scam so that we can stamp them out. During the awareness week I urge residents to spend some time looking at the Citizens Advice website (citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer) where you'll find a wealth of information and advice. You could also take part in a short and interactive online scam awareness session, which can be done in the comfort of your own home, all you need to do is visit the Friends Against Scams website at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk.
"I would also like to encourage residents to keep a watchful eye on your friends, family, neighbours and anyone else who you think might be more susceptible to being targeted. Check out the tips below and please help us spread the word."
How to spot a scam:
It seems too good to be true - like an email saying you've won a competition you don't remember entering.
Someone you don't know contacts you unexpectedly.
You're being urged to respond quickly so you don't get time to think about it or talk to family and friends.
You've been asked to pay for something urgently or in an unusual way - for example by bank transfer or gift vouchers.
You've been asked to give away personal information.
Organisations who can help if you've fallen victim to a scam:
To report a scam, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
To get advice or report a trader to Trading Standards, contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
If you (or someone you know) is at imminent risk from losing money to a scam, contact police on 999. If it is a non-emergency, ring the police on 101.
You can also contact Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards for a 'no cold calling' window/ door sticker to avoid unwanted cold calling traders.