Cumberland Community Safety Partnership (CSP)

Scams and Fraud

 

scam

 

Scams and Fraud

Scams come in many forms: emails, on social media, by post, by phone, by text or in person at your door.  They all make false promises to con you out of your money. 

It might be a scam if:

  • It seems too good to be true
  • You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company, organisation or a genuine person  
  • You’ve been pressurized to transfer money quickly
  • You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way, for instance by a transfer service or by vouchers
  • You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords, PINs or other verification codes.

Doorstep crime and cold callers

Cumberland council Trading Standards offers advice of doorstep crime here 

 The council also offers a No Cold Calling Zone Toolkit

Cumbria Police offers a Fraud Protection Toolkit

Action Fraud

If you’ve been the victim of a scam, fraud or online crime (cybercrime) you can report it to Action Fraud. 

Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It collects reports about fraud on behalf of the police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For fraud in Scotland please report it directly to Police Scotland.

Useful contacts for advice about fraud and cyber crime

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA)
AEA are a national charity working to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older adults.
0808 808 8141

Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice to help you solve legal, money and other problems.
0808 223 1133
 

Cyber aware
Cyber Aware provides cyber security advice for small business and individuals.

Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is the UK’s most popular source of easy-to-understand information about online safety.

National Cyber Security Centre
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a part of GCHQ and is the UK’s lead authority on cyber security.

Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
The OPG is responsible for protecting people who no longer have the capacity to make certain decisions for themselves.
0300 456 0300

Royal Mail Scam Mail Helpline
Support and advice if you’ve received items by post that you believe to be fraudulent.
0800 011 3466

The Silver Line
Free, 24-hour, confidential helpline providing friendship, information and advice to older people.
0800 470 8090