The York Council is calling on residents of York to expose scams and help stop more people from falling prey to clever cons that fleece them of thousands of pounds.
Scams Awareness Month runs throughout July to highlight how scams continue to flourish when people stay silent.
We’re asking you to keep two things in mind when you’re ‘approached’, or when you’re looking for goods or services:
- don’t be rushed
- don’t be hushed
You should:
- take your time to make a decision
- get all the facts before parting with your money or personal information
- speak out when you think you’ve spotted a scam
Figures show that less than 5% of victims report scams to the authorities – our Trading Standards team is encouraging you to report suspicious activities, get advice if you think you’ve been conned, and to warn others to help stop scams from spreading.
Types of scam
Scams come in every form: from doorstep double glazing sales to online investment offers.
People may be targeted with ‘vishing’ calls where a fraudster impersonates their bank to collect their bank details, or by bogus companies offering computer security services.
Online scams include dodgy job adverts and offers for goods and services, while mail scams may ask victims to pay a fee in order to claim their winnings from a prize draw they haven’t entered.
Further information
The Citizens Advice website provides details about activities, information and resourcess to help you take part in Scam Awareness Month, including model press releases, blogs and a range of online content to reflect the weekly themes.