What are Scams?
Scams come in many forms; uninvited contact is received by email, letter, and telephone or in person making false promises to con victims out of money. There are many scams but the most common are fake lotteries, deceptive prize draws or sweepstakes, clairvoyants, computer scams, and romance scams.
The criminals attempt to trick people with flashy, 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 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.
What Can I Do To Prevent Scams?
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to… ‘Take a Stand Against Scams.’
Friends Against Scams is designed to inspire action, highlight the scale of the problem, change the perceptions of why people fall for scams and make scams a community, regional and national topic.
By attending a Friends Against Scams awareness session or completing the online learning, anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim. With increased knowledge and awareness, people can make scams part of everyday conversation with their family, friends and neighbours, which will enable them to protect themselves and others.
Anyone can be a Friend Against Scams and make a difference in their own way. Visit the Friends Against Scams Website.
AWARENESS SESSIONS
Friends Against Scams awareness sessions are run by SCAMchampions, who are trained and supported by the NTS Scams Team. Each 45 minute awareness session is fun and interactive and a chance to meet other people who want to ‘”Take a Stand Against Scams”. Awareness sessions run across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can find your nearest session here.
ONLINE LEARNING SESSIONS
Alternatively, complete the online learning session, which can be done in the comfort of your own home, at work or wherever, is most convenient for you. The online learning is also interactive, so you will be able to learn about scams in a fun way. Complete the online learning here.
