Scams Awareness fortnight (13 -24 June) is an annual campaign run by Citizens Advice with the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP).
With the cost-of-living crisis, many people are facing difficult financial situations, including not being able to afford essential goods and services, and at risk of getting into debt. Scammers are likely to exploit those in vulnerable situations, so it’s important that we raise awareness and empower consumers to protect themselves and others from scams.
Some examples of scams to look out for include:
· Scammers pretending to be energy companies, luring people with “too good to be true” deals in order to steal their money
· Fake sales representatives selling counterfeit shopping vouchers
· Fraudsters sending out phishing emails pretending to offer an energy rebate or government support to obtain people’s personal information
With the cost-of-living crisis unfolding, consumers need to remain alert and protect themselves from these and other scams.
Scam Awareness fortnight aims to:
1. Equip consumers with the knowledge and skills they need to recognise scams Scams come in many forms and are increasingly complex and sophisticated. We want to give people the knowledge they need to recognise scams, so they can protect themselves and those around them.
2. Empower people to take action by getting advice and reporting scams
If someone thinks they’ve been scammed, there are steps they can take to protect themselves from things getting worse. If they take action immediately, they might even be able to recover some of the money they lost. It can also give people a feeling of control.
However, it’s not always clear what to do and who to report to. We need to make it simple and easy for people to understand the steps they should take – and make sure they have the confidence to do so.
3. Encourage people to talk about their experiences and help others
Many victims falling for a scam are overwhelmed by a sense of shame, which can lead to under-reporting. We want to encourage people to talk openly about their experiences, emphasising the responsibility to inform and help
others. This way we can help break down the stigma around scams and raise awareness of the problem.
Find out more:
Citizens Advice also offers free advice and helps people to find a way forward. You can also contact the consumer service for free consumer advice, including advice on scams at 0808 223 1133
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/
