Be aware of scams warning

People in Ayrshire have been urged to be aware of new scams which are on the rise as national ScamWatch Week gets underway.

This year’s campaign will highlight the misconception that only older and more vulnerable people are caught out, with scammers increasingly using emails and texts to prey on people of all ages.

Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumer advice. scot on behalf of the Scottish Government, is seeing a steady rise in reported scams as the Covid pandemic eases.

Some of the most common scams include fake parcel delivery texts, scammers claiming to be from HMRC, and investment scams such as cryptocurrency offers.

Alongside this are more traditional doorstep scams by bogus callers pretending to be tradespeople, charity collectors or energy meter readers.

The Scottish ScamWatch Week campaign, which will run on social media platforms throughout the week, will offer free advice on the ways in which consumers can reduce exposure to scammers and avoid being caught out.

The ScamWatch campaign will also provide tips on being cyber-aware, such as ensuring devices and software are kept up-to-date, adequate password protections are in place, and important data is backed up.

Free, impartial and practical advice is available to anyone in Scotland through Advice Direct Scotland.

Consumers can seek help in a number of different ways: freephone 0808 164 6000; and online, web chat and email at www.consumeradvice.scot.