Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office has stepped up the fight against scammers by supporting the Trading Standards Friends Against Scams campaign. The initiative aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’.
As part of the ongoing commitment from Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office to educate and support those who may be vulnerable to scams, Deputy PCC Sue Arnold has become a SCAMbassador.
Scams affect millions of people across the UK and cost consumers an estimated £11 billion each year. Scams are a pervasive, criminal threat, which in addition to the financial damage can also cause serious detrimental, long-term psychological effects and ultimately destroy lives.
Sue Arnold said: ‘Scams often target the most vulnerable people in society but the reality is that anyone can become a victim of scams.
‘Scams damage lives and can affect people financially and emotionally.
‘It is with great pride that I have joined the work of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and others who are working together to prevent people from being victims of scams.
‘By signing up as a SCAMbassador I pledge to help move Staffordshire closer to becoming a scam-free constituency.”
National Trading Standards Scams Team Manager, Louise Baxter, said: ‘The tactics used by scammers leave victims socially isolated and ashamed of telling their friends and families what’s really going on behind closed doors.
‘It is fantastic to have such an influential organisation to help us tackle this problem on a local, regional and national level and I would encourage all those that are interested in showing their support to join the campaign and be part of our growing SCAMbassador network.’
For more information about becoming a Friend Against Scams including the full campaign pack, please visit http://www.tradingstandards.uk/standagainstscams or contact the TSI policy team policy@tsi.org.uk
