Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office is supporting a month-long campaign to urge people to report scams and attempted scams.
Every year millions of people across the UK fall prey to scammers and Staffordshire residents are no exception.
June is Scam Awareness month, a national campaign set up by the Citizens Advice Bureau, to raise awareness and help reduce the impact of scams with advice and support.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold supports Friends Against Scams. ‘I am proud to be a SCAMbassador and would encourage all those that are interested in showing their support to join the campaign and be part of our #scambassador network.
‘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.
‘I’ve seen the emotional pain caused to victims of fraud, it hurts people emotionally, physically and financially.
‘Often the emotional pain is the hardest. This is why I and “Friends Against Scams” need you to help in protecting those closest to you’.
This year’s theme is ‘Don’t Miss a Trick, Be Scam Aware’ which urges everyone to recognise, report and talk about the issues. Scams Awareness month asks us all to trust our gut instinct when receiving an unexpected or suspicious communication and be sure to obtain advice before taking any action following a potential scam attempt.
If you would like to be a ‘Friend Against Scams’ you can attend a short awareness session in person or complete the online training at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk.
Citizens Advice research shows that almost three quarters (72%) of people surveyed had been targeted by scammers over a two year period (2015-17). More than a third had been targeted five or more times.END
