This year, Citizens Advice Scams Awareness campaign is running between Monday 15th and Sunday 28th June.
The aim is to create a network of confident, alert consumers who know what to do when they spot a scam with a particular focus this year on coronavirus scams that have emerged in the past few months.
The crisis means more people are facing issues – from employment and debt, to housing and health – resulting in more people being in vulnerable situations. Added to this, the overall heightened uncertainty and anxiety caused by the pandemic is making everyone more vulnerable and more likely to fall victim to a scam. Empowering the public against scams is crucial during these uncertain times.
Some of the coronavirus related scams include whether that’s emails pretending to be from the government, adverts selling face masks at high prices, or someone knocking at your door asking for money for a fake charity.
Derby City Council Trading Standards team will be taking part in raising awareness around the city with leaflet drops and social media posts.
Scams can affect anyone, so it’s important to know how to spot one. It might be a scam if:
- It seems too good to be true – for example 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 in an unusual way – for example by bank transfer or gift vouchers
- You’ve been asked to give away personal information
Councillor Jonathan Smale, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Communities said:
If you think someone might be trying to scam you, take the time to get advice. Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service and report scams or suspected scams to Action Fraud or you can talk to our Trading Standards team. It’s more important than ever to be wary about scams so be alert.
Find out more at Citizens Advice Scam Awareness 2020.