Derbyshire Residents Invited To Become A 'Friend Against Scams'
Derbyshire County Council is supporting Friends Against Scams, a national trading standards scheme, which aims to raise awareness of scams and give people the confidence to spread the word in their own communities.
The initiative, this week celebrating its first year, runs online training to help people promote scams awareness in their own communities.
People interested in becoming a Friend Against Scams can complete the online training.
After this session they will be asked to start taking action to "Take a Stand Against Scams". This could be by talking to neighbours, friends or family about scams or writing to their local MP asking them to promote scams awareness.
Scams can be contacts by email, letter, and telephone or in person making false promises to con victims out of money. Some of the most common are fake lotteries, prize draws or sweepstakes, clairvoyants, computer scams, and romance scams.
Scammers attempt to trick people with official-looking documents or websites, or convincing telephone sales patter, with the aim of persuading them to send a processing or administration fee, pay postal or insurance costs, buy an overvalued product or make a premium rate phone call.
Doorstep Scams are crimes carried out by bogus callers, rogue traders and unscrupulous sales people who call, often uninvited, at people's home under the guise of legitimate business or trade.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart, signed up to become a Friends Against Scams 'Scambassador' in 2017.
Councillor Hart said: “Scammers are clever and convincing and can ruin people’s lives. The more people are aware, the better chance they have of avoiding being scammed.
“Victims can lose money and peace of mind. They can also feel too embarrassed to report a scam.
“Friends Against Scams tackles lack of awareness and helps spread the word about how to avoid them and how to protect yourself from them.”
To find out more and to play a part in helping people avoid becoming a victim of scams people should visit www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
The Friends Against Scams team has set a target of reaching One Million Friends by 2020.
To report a fraud contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
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