Scam Awareness

After the formalities of the Village Society AGM had been concluded on Wednesday 10th January 2024, our Chair (with kind assistance from David Newson) presented a talk highlighting the challenge of Scams and gave advice on how to avoid being duped by them.

He described four main categories of Scams:

• Postal Scams
• Telephone Scams
• Doorstep Scams
• Online Scams

and for each category he highlighted the primary ways in which they can be identified as scams and offered tips on how to deal with them.

To view the slide set, please click on the PDF featured on this webpage.

The presentation included advice on obtaining call blockers to minimise the risk of telephone scams and (for particularly vulnerable individuals) front door cctv cameras that can be monitored remotely by a loved one or trusted friend to help protect against doorstep scams.

These devices are avaiable free-of-charge to Buckinghamshire and Surrey residents on request to the Trading Standards 'Friends Against Scams' department.

Trading Standards will even arrange for the installation of these devices — again free-of-charge!

To request a call blocker and/or a cctv monitoring camera, please email:

trading.standards@surreycc.gov.uk

Scams are FRAUD and we need to help relevant authorities remain abreast of their development so that police, government and other relevant bodies can determine how best to allocate resources to combat these crimes.

There are several ways to report scams, but the platform that encompasses the widest range of scams is ActionFraud.

Here is the information from the ActionFraud website:

Reporting fraud and cyber crime

You can report fraud or cyber crime to ActionFraud any time of the day or night using our online fraud reporting tool. You can also report and get advice about fraud or cyber crime by calling 0300 123 2040.

The times above represent our core contact centre opening hours, although from time to time we do extend the service we provide to you.

Action Fraud will not call you unless you have requested us to, and will never ask for your bank details. If you are unsure whether a call is genuine, call the Action Fraud team on 0300 123 2040. Please note this number will be charged at your normal network rate.

If you have inclusive minutes within your mobile tariff then calls to our number are included at no cost. If you have used all of your inclusive minutes then the call will typically cost 35p per minute depending on your network provider.

Textphone

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can contact us on textphone 0300 123 2050.
Online advisor — live chat

This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When using web chat you are speaking live to one of our advisors in the contact centre, who can assist with queries or you help fill out an online report.
Reporting a live cyber attack

If you represent a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber attack and data is potentially at risk, please call 0300 123 2040. This service is available 24 hours a day to report and get advice on what to do next. Please note, if you are member of the public you must report to us through our core opening hours or online here.

Cyber security advice

If you are an organisation (private, public, or voluntary) that wishes to get information about cyber security, then contact the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).