Be Scam Aware, Says Citizens Advice in Dorset

Citizens Advice in Dorset are warning people to be scam aware with two out of three people in the South West targeted by scammers so far in 2021.

 

Since January, 69% of people in the South West region have been targeted by a scammer, new research by Citizens Advice in Dorset has found.

Fraudsters tried to trick residents in a range of ways, but the biggest scam faced by locals is focused around delivery and parcels, with 55% of people in the area saying they’d been contacted about a scam of this kind.

Many people in the South West region say they’re worried that they or a loved one could fall victim to a scam, with 66% saying they’re concerned this might happen.

To encourage people to report scams, share their experiences and look out for others, Citizens Advice in Dorset and Trading Standards have launched their annual Scams Awareness campaign which runs from the 14th – 27th June 2021.

Rovarn Wickremasinghe, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice Bridport, said: “A shocking number of people in rural Dorset have been targeted by a scammer so far this year. For example, we’ve seen a number of instances where people are being sent scam text messages purportedly from Royal Mail or Parcelforce asking people to click on a link to pay an underpaid delivery charge for a parcel.”

“As life begins to unlock, it’s so important we all do our bit and report anything that looks like a con when we see it. By learning how scammers operate, and helping each other understand what to look out for, we can all work together to stop fraudsters in their tracks.“

To help stop more people being fleeced by these types of scams, Citizens Advice in Dorset and Trading Standards are sharing the following tips on how to spot them.

It might be a scam if:

  • it seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect
  • you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address
  • you’ve been pressured to transfer money quickly or in an unusual way – like by iTunes vouchers or a transfer service
  • you’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs
  • you haven’t had written confirmation of what’s been agreed

If you’ve been scammed, Citizens Advice in Dorset advise:

  • talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
  • report offline scams, like telephone, post and doorstep, to Citizens Advice online or by calling 0808 223 1133. Report online scams to the dedicated Scams Action service either online or on 0808 250 5050
  • report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
  • contact the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 or visit citizensadvicedorset.org.uk or visit your local office website.

ends

 

For more information contact: Sian Smith, Comms Officer, [email protected]

We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Notes to editors:

 

  1. Opinium surveyed a representative sample of 2,086 adults living in the UK. The sample was weighted to be nationally representative of the UK. Fieldwork took place between 21 and 25 May 2021. Respondents were asked:
    1. Question 1: Since the beginning of the year (1 January 2021), have you been contacted by anyone that you think was trying to scam you? Please select all that apply. Answers: Yes – but I ignored it/didn’t fall victim; Yes – I fell for it; No – to the best of my knowledge I have not been contacted by any scammers; Don’t know/can’t remember
    2. Question 2: What kind of scam were you targeted by? Please specify all that apply. Answers: Deliveries and parcels; Government or civil expenses; Banking; Other consumer issues; Investment; Health or medical; Pension; Holidays; Employment; Other
    3. Question 3: How worried, if at all, are you about you, or someone close to you (such as your friends, family or neighbours) falling victim to scams? Answers: Yes – extremely worried; Yes – very worried; Yes – somewhat worried; No – not at all worried; Don’t know
  1. Scams Awareness is an annual campaign which aims to create a network of confident, alert consumers who know what to do when they see a scam. This year’s campaign will take place over two weeks, from the 14th – 27th June. The campaign includes a range of organisations across the Consumer Protection Partnership, including Trading Standards, the Department for Business Energy and Infrastructure, and Citizens Advice Scotland.

About Citizens Advice in Dorset:

Citizens Advice in Dorset provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to enable them to find a way forward whatever problems they face. We value diversity, promote equality, challenge discrimination wherever we see it and aim to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

Citizens Advice in Dorset is located across three regions:

 

 

 

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