Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, is once again supporting the national Scams Awareness Week campaign, to help residents in local communities and elsewhere better protect themselves from fraud and scams.
Scams Awareness Week, promoted by the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB), os active between 10th and 23rd June 2019. It aims to give consumers the skills and confidence to identify scams, share their experiences and take action by reporting suspicious or fraudulent activity to the correct authorities, with the message 'Stop, Talk, Report'.
Scams affect millions of people every year and can range from cold-calling to pension fraud, and costs individuals and institutions millions of pounds. As well as focussing on protecting vulnerable older people from the harm of fraud, the campaign will focus this year on making 'life established' people (those who are aged between 40 and 60) more fully aware of the dangers of scams and phishing activities. Data from the CAB indicates that this group is most likely to be at risk of fraud as it is more settled and has access to financial assets. Despite this, it is also the group least likely to report possible scam activity.
The CAB offers free advice through its Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06. Anyone who is concerned that they may have been a victim of a scam can report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Other organisations and regulators, such as the Royal Mail, the Pensions Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Information Commissioner's Office, can assist people in reporting and taking action on specific scams.
David said: "With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is all the more important that we raise awareness of how vulnerable people can better protect themselves against fraud, and make sure that people know how they can report scams, so that those responsible face justices. Scams Awareness Week is an important opportunity to do this and I would encourage local residents to review the advice and guidance provided by the campaign so that they can become more Scam Aware."