It’s that time of year again. Citizens Advice, alongside prominent partners like the Trading Standards, have launched national Scam Awareness Fortnight (SAF22) starting today – June 13th.
Though avoiding scams is a year round challenge, national attention will be brought on how to spot scams, how to stop scams and how to report scams.
In the knowledge that only 5% of attempted scams are ever reported, and that receiving potential scams by letter, email, text message or other channels is now a daily occurrence, the focus this year will be on reporting scams early and combatting scams driven by the cost-of-living crisis.
Only by reporting them early can others be protected and scammers be exposed.
The key messages below will probably not be new to you but they are as important as ever.
How to Spot Scams – and what to do about it
Everyone, without exception, is vulnerable to one or other scam. But there are some simple rules to live by (and share) to give yourself the best chance of avoiding being scammed.
- Don’t fall for high pressure selling techniques. Never be hurried into making a snap decision when spending money.
- If you are offered a deal that seems ‘too good to be true’ it probably is – leave it alone.
- Don’t make decisions on the doorstep with ‘traders’ you don’t know. They can leave their details and you can have them checked out.
- Never provide personal details to people or organisations you don’t know, or even to organisations you do know if they are requesting information online they have never asked for before.
- Always check the ID of doorstep callers. Never take the views of strangers on trust when they are trying to separate you from your money, possessions or personal details.
How to Stop Scams
Communities are being urged to look out for signs of neighbours being targeted by doorstep criminals or online scams.
This has been particularly difficult during a time where individuals isolated by the pandemic have had charity volunteers reach out to them in person or ‘local builders’ anxious to help you with external home repairs caused by weather damage. This sort of unsolicited contact has only increased as the world has opened up again.
The rise in prices for everything has also made it much more attractive to listen to someone telling they can do “it” cheaper.
If you have family members who you feel are isolated or potentially vulnerable please find a way to stay in touch with them – and report suspicious activity where you identify it.
How to Report Scams
The best way to combat scammers is to forewarn others.
If you are made aware of a scam please report it to the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 (lines are open mon-Friday between 9am-5pm) or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/ .
If you are the victim of a scam please report your experience to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ .
If you think you are in the process of being scammed, and have the opportunity, call the Police on 999. Don’t let scammers off the hook.
Further Information
If you want to know more about any of the above visit the Citizens Advice website at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-campaigns/awareness-raising-campaigns/scams-awareness-campaign-2021/advice-on-scams/
Coventry City Council has excellent scam awareness content available at https://www.coventry.gov.uk/trading-standards/scams-warnings/13 . They also have up-to-date e-alerts you can sign up to.
If you want to be more active, personally, in fighting scams visit https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ and see about becoming a ScamChampion.
Finally, if you want to know more about this year’s campaign please put Scam Awareness Fortnight 2022 into your internet browser or contact your local Citizens Advice office for details.
