Free events to combat fraud loss

In the first three months of this year, residents in West Sussex lost a total of just over £3.5million to criminals using different types of scams. The majority of victims were aged 60 or over and just under half of the reports came from people living alone.

Tostopindividualsbecoming victims of fraud and blackmail, a new series of free webinars and in person events are being run to raise awareness about online safety.

The sessions, organised by West Sussex Coun- t y Council’s Digital Safety Team, arebeingheld on the followingdates:

• Tuesday 23 May – online only session.

• Wednesday 14 June 10am – 3pm at East Grinstead Library with an online webinar also available in person from 10.00 - 11.30am.

• Wednesday 2 August 10am – 3pm at Horsham Library with an online webinar also available in person from 10.00 - 11.30am.

• Tuesday 15 August 10am – 3pm at Bognor Library with an online webinar also available in person from 10.00 - 11.30am.

Ticketsfortheonlinesessions canbebookedviaEventbritebut anyone who would like to attend oneofthewebinarsinpersoncan go along to East Grinstead, Horsham or Bognor Library on the designated day at 10am.

The webinars will provide individuals with the knowledge on howtospotscamsandwhattodo if they, or their family, become a victim of online fraud.

On Wednesday 14 June, Wednesday 2 August, and Tuesday 15 August from 11.30am –3.00pm,membersfromtheDigitalSafetyTeamwillbeonhandat eachlibraryevent-alongsideDigital Ambassador Volunteers and theWestSussexLibraryService’s Digital Access Team and Digital Volunteers.