There’s a scam out there for everyone,” warns Citizens Advice Ipswich
New research found 6% of people in the East of England were caught out by a scam in the past year.
People in Suffolk are being urged to stay alert to scams, with warnings that “there’s a scam out there for everyone.”
It comes as Citizens Advice Ipswich launches its annual Scams Awareness campaign, running from 20 October to 2 November, after new research found 6% of people in the East of England were caught out by a scam in the past year.
Nationally, more than seven million people across the UK are estimated to have been deceived by a scam in the last 12 months.
Nelleke van Helfteren, Communications Manager at Citizens Advice Ipswich, said:
“Scams are getting worse across the board. There is a scam out there for everyone; nobody is safe from scams, and people can get caught up in them very easily. What we want to do this Scams Awareness fortnight is make people aware of what the top scams are, and how they can stay vigilant.”
Online Scams
Online scams make up a significant proportion of the problem, with 26% of victims tricked while shopping online, often through fake websites or counterfeit goods.
“The Internet has brought a whole new area in which people are getting fooled and duped,” Nelleke said. “Online shopping scams make up 26% of scams that people fell prey to this year.
People are just very busy online, the speed and ease with which we can make payments can sometimes catch us out.”
Say alert and be vigilant
As the festive season approaches, Citizens Advice is warning shoppers to stay alert.
“Make a list, work out how much you want to spend, and keep track of your purchases,” Nelleke advised.
“If you’re buying for lots of people, it’s easy to forget what you’ve ordered, and that makes it easier to fall for delivery scams, like texts saying your parcel hasn’t arrived or you need to pay postage. Just stop and think.”
She also urged people to be cautious about charity appeals, especially online videos asking for donations.
“It’s very dangerous to part with your money for an appeal if it isn’t a legitimate organisation,” she said. “You can double-check by making sure they’re a registered charity and have a proper website.”
The charity’s message this year is simple: scams can happen to anyone.
“It’s not because you’re stupid or silly,” said Nelleke. “Scammers are very good at their job. It’s a psychological trick, and it’s not just vulnerable people who get scammed.”
What to look out for
Citizens Advice Ipswich says something might be a scam if:
- Someone contacts you unexpectedly or asks you to transfer money quickly.
- You’re asked to share personal details like passwords or PINs.
- There’s no postal address or legitimate contact details.
- You’re asked to pay in an unusual way.
Anyone who believes they’ve been scammed should contact their bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.