Scammers on the rise as 78% say they have been a target

A dramatic rise in scamming has seen 78 per cent of East Midlands residents targeted since January 2021.

New research conducted by Citizens Advice LeicesterShire revealed scammers contacted three in four people across the county.

Fraudsters tried to trick residents using different methods, but the most prevalent issue faced by delivery scams, with 51 per cent of residents contacted.

Many East Midlands residents say they are worried they or a loved one could fall victim to a scam, with 74 per cent saying they are concerned.

To encourage people to report scams, share their experiences and look out for others, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire have launched their annual Scams Awareness campaign.

Richard Evans, chief officer of Citizens

Advice LeicesterShire, said: “A shocking number of people in Leicestershire have been targeted by a scammer so far this year.

“As life begins to unlock, it’s important we all do our bit and report anything that looks like a con when we see it.

“By learning how scammers operate and helping each other understand what to look out for, we can all work together to stop fraudsters in their tracks.”

To help stop people from being fleeced by these types of scams, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire is sharing the following tips on how to spot them.

By learning how scammers operate and helping each other understand what to look out for, we can all work together to stop fraudsters in their tracks.

It might be a scam if:

■ It seems too good to be true for example, a holiday that is much cheaper than expected;

■ You suspect you are not dealing with a real company - for example, there is no postal address;

■ You have been pressured to transfer money quickly or in an unusual way - like by iTunes vouchers or a transfer service;

■ You have been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs;

■ You have not had written confirmation of what has been agreed.

If you have been scammed, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire advise you to talk to your bank or card company immediately if you have handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment. Report offline scams, like telephone, post and doorstep, to Citizens Advice online or by calling 0808 223 1133.

Report online scams to the Scams Action service either online or on 0808 250 5050 or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.