Are you #ScamAware?

Scams Awareness Fortnight (14 - 27 June) aims to create a network of confident, alert consumers who know what to do when they spot a scam. 

We’ve put together some handy tips to help make you aware of the type of scams you should be looking out for and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.

If you missed our livestream event discussing how you can protect yourself against scams and ask any questions you may have, you can catch up on Facebook now.

Be aware of COVID-related scams 

The pandemic has been a hard time for everyone and, unfortunately, scammers are keen to take advantage of this. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in coronavirus-related scams since the pandemic began, and with increasing case numbers in Greater Manchester it’s likely these will continue.

This could be someone offering face masks or medical equipment at high prices, emails/text scams asking you to pay a charge to book a vaccine, scammers offering life insurance against coronavirus or knocking on your door claiming to be from a charity needing money.

If you see emails or texts about coronavirus from someone you don’t know or from an unusual email address, don’t click any links or buy anything. Don’t give money or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust - for example someone knocking on your door. 

If it’s too good to be true - it probably is

With restrictions starting to ease, it’s tempting to think about booking holidays, days out and other excursions. However, whilst a lot of companies are offering really good deals at the moment, it can be hard spotting which offers are genuine and which ones aren’t. 

If it seems too good to be true - for example, if a holiday is much cheaper than you’d expect, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. It’s always a good idea to book through official websites and through companies you’ve heard of before - if you suspect a company isn’t real, for example there’s no postal address on their website, you should steer clear. 

Swipe left on online dating scams
If you’re on dating apps such as Tinder or Hinge, you may have already experienced one or two nightmare ‘matches’. But many people don’t realise that scammers often operate on these sites to try and lure victims into handing over their money and sensitive information. 

Usually hiding behind fake names and profiles, these scammers will groom victims into long-distance relationships using messaging, texts and phone calls. Once they’ve gained their victim’s trust they will then ask for financial help before ‘ghosting’ them - suddenly ceasing all contact.

It’s important to always be sure someone is who they say they are - you should never share your sensitive information with someone you’ve only met online, no matter how genuine they might seem! Be vigilant and keep an eye out for red flags when chatting online. 

What to do if you’ve fallen for a scam 

Sometimes, it’s possible for even the most scam aware person to be caught off guard. If you suspect you’ve fallen for a scam it’s important to act quickly to prevent things from getting worse. If you’ve given money to a scammer or feel threatened, you should contact the police immediately. 

If you think a scammer may have access to your computer or one of your accounts you should change all of your passwords, inform your bank that your financial information might have been stolen and also update your antivirus software. 

Keep an eye on your bank statements for any suspicious activity or transactions that you don’t recognise. If you’ve lost money because of a scam, there’s a chance you’ll be able to get this back. There is also emotional support available if you’ve been a victim of a scam.

Know how to report a scam

When you think you’ve spotted a scam or something suspicious, you should always report it in order to protect yourself and others. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about doing this - scammers are clever and falling for a scam can happen to anyone. 

Gather as much information as you can about the scam, who you’ve been in contact with, what information you shared and why you’re suspicious. You can report scams to our Scams Action Service, and also to organisations such as Action Fraud, Trading Standards or Royal Mail (if you received scam mail).

Reporting scams helps authorities track down and stop the people responsible. Even if you haven’t fallen for a scam, someone else might do further down the line. 

If you think you’ve been scammed or need advice on how to protect yourself against scams, you can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Adviceline free on 0808 223 1133 to speak to one of our advisers.