Drive to make public scam savvy
A RECENT spike in the reporting of scams has led to the launch of a national scam awareness campaign.
The Highland Consumer Partnership, made up of Highland Council’s Trading Standards (HCTS), Citizens Advice Scotland and Highland Citizens Advice Bureaux (HCAB), are behind the initiative
Throughout May a series of themed activities and events will be run to increase public awareness of how to avoid becoming the victim of online scams, mail scams, telephone scams and doorstep scams.
Both the HCTS and HCAB have seen a growing number of people who feel worn down by the sheer volume of scam phone calls, emails, letters and texts they receive. A recent background report has shown online shopping and auction scams were the most common fraud reported in 2013 and cost UK consumers around £63.3 million.
Gordon Robb, HCTS manager, hopes people will come forward with information about scams currently in operation.
As part of the launch, HCTS will send out tweets highlighting particular scams and providing advice and information. For more information go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk
