West Yorkshire Trading Standards has revealed its 10 top tips to avoid being scammed after it was revealed that people in the UK are being tricked out of up to £10 billion each year.
Special awareness sessions have been held by Citizens Advice and West Yorkshire Trading Standards to help protect the public against increasingly clever scams.
Top 10 tips to take a stand against scams:
• Say ‘no’ to unwanted, uninvited callers.
• Be wise to rogue traders. Too good to be true offers probably are.
• Don’t feel pressured to make a decision. Say ‘no’, or say you need advice first.
• Be wise to postal scams. No legal company will ask for money to claim a prize.
• Keep personal details safe. They could be used fraudulently in the wrong hands.
• Research the credentials of the company. Be certain they’re not bogus.
• Be online savvy. Check who you’re communicating with online.
• Talk to someone you trust if you’re suspicious.
• Report a scam. Help expose the criminals.
• Know you are not alone. Anyone can be a victim, report it and get the right support.
What to do if you have been scammed:
• Get advice and report it to Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506 or online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk .
• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to help stop it happening to others.
• It’s not always possible to get your money back if you’ve been scammed, and you have handed over cash.
• If you’ve paid for goods or services by credit card you have more protection, and if you used a debit card you may be able to ask your bank for a chargeback.
Community organisations which would like to invite the SAFER Project to talk at their group should contact 0113 3939910 or safer@wyjs.org.uk for more information.
Free awareness talks are still on offer to community groups and professionals in West Yorkshire who work with older and more vulnerable people.
Kirklees councillor Ken Smith, of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee, said: “Scammers are now able to target people by telephone, letter, email, text message and on the doorstep.
“We all need to be aware of the different scams and look out for those who are vulnerable. In order to take a stand against scammers, we need to report them and seek help if we ever fall for one of their tricks.”
