Big increase in scamming as bills crisis takes hold

MILLIONS more people have been targeted by scammers as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, research suggests.

More than three quarters of British adults said they have been targeted by a scammer this year – a 14 per cent increase on this time in 2021, Citizens Advice found.

The most common types of scams reported included deliveries, postal or courier services (55 per cent); someone pretending to be from the Government or HMRC (41 per cent); someone offering a fake investment or financial “get rich quick” schemes (29 per cent); rebates and refunds (28 per cent); banking (27 per cent); online shopping (24 per cent); health or medical (13 per cent); and energy scams (12 per cent).

Ahead of households receiving financial payments to help with the cost of living, Citizens Advice warned that it had seen a range of scams, including emails claiming to be from Ofgem asking people to enter their bank details to get the £400 energy rebate.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “We know scammers prey on our worries and fears and the cost-of-living crisis is no exception.

“Anyone can be targeted, and as the purse strings are tightened and financial pressures pile on, it’s more important than ever we recognise the red flags.”

Wendy Martin, director of National Trading Standards, said: “Criminals are exploiting people’s worries as household bills rise.

“Consumers are being put under increasing pressure from a wave of scam emails and cold calls from imposters pretending to be from councils or energy companies.

“We urge people never to give bank details or other personal information to anyone who contacts them out of the blue as legitimate organisations would never put you on the spot in this way.”