Scams are crimes

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Scams are crimes

Coronavirus frauds and scams

Find out what scams to look out for and how to avoid them at the National Crime Agency.

For advice on these scams, contact Citizens Advice.

The report a scam, contact Action Fraud.

Crimestoppers COVID fraud hotline: 0800 587 5030

Report a scam or fraud

Report a trader to Trading Standards
Calls are handled by the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.

Report fraud against the council to Shared Anti Fraud Service
Including blue badge, council tax, tenancy and school admissions fraud.

Report other cases of fraud and cyber crime to Action Fraud
or take a look at their A-Z list of scams.

Report a loan shark to Stop Loan Sharks
Safely report online or over the phone.

Report a suspicious website to National Cyber Security Centre

Stay up to date

Scams and frauds advice

Online advice

How to spot a scam - Take Five to Stop Fraud.

How to keep your home, your property and your money secure - Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Scams targeted at older people - Age UK.

Check a website is safe before you visit - Get Safe Online.

Talk to someone

Citizens Advice - get advice on scams and consumer rights by phone, email or online chat.

Think Jessica - contact by phone, email or post for scams advice.

Printable leaflets

Metropolitan Police - booklets of scams

It's OK to say no! Protect yourself from scams (PDF 224KB)

Scam crimes come in many forms

Emails
Facebook and social media
Postal
Phone calls
Text messages
In person at your door

Cold callers

Say NO to anyone who turns up at your home uninvited.

Rogue builders and gardeners trick people into paying high prices for unnecessary or shoddy work.

Beware cold callers selling vitamin and herbal remedies. These callers often pretend to have contacted your doctor, and may ask about your health issues. If in doubt talk to your doctor or social worker.

If unsure, don't answer the door. A genuine caller will make an appointment with you before turning up. Ask traders for their ID.
Don't keep large sums of money at home.
Don't buy goods or services at the door, even if a trader tells you work needs to be done urgently.

Call the police on 101 if callers won't leave.

Find a local trusted trader

Junk mail

Common scam letters are fake lotteries, prize draws, and clairvoyants. Look out for:

Anyone asking for money up front - processing or handling fees are a con.
Mailings which tell you that you're a winner, but you need to buy goods from them first. They're usually overpriced and you'll never win the big prize.
A promise that you've won a prize for a competition or lottery you never entered.
Letters which ask you to call them back to claim a prize. They may be promoting a premium rate number such as 090 or 070.

Register for free with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to have your name and address removed from mailing lists from UK companies.

Register with the Mailing Preference Service

Unexpected phone calls

Always check a caller is who they say they are. Fraudsters can pretend to be from the bank, and ask you to give them your details.

Never tell anyone your PIN number or passwords - a real bank or the police will never ask for these.
Beware of calling premium rate numbers such as 090 or 070 or international numbers, which start 00.
If someone calls and tries to panic you into giving personal or bank details, just ask them to confirm it in writing and put the phone down.

Register for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to opt out of unsolicited sales or marketing calls from UK companies. Anyone offering to stop nuisance calls for a fee is a scammer, don't use them.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service

Become a Friend Against Scams

Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to Take a Stand Against Scams.

If you would like to be a Friend Against Scams you can attend a short awareness session in person or complete the online training.

The sessions include advice from Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards, Age UK and Neighbourhood Watch, so you can learn about current scams and how to spot or report a scam.

Become a Friend Against Scams

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Scams are crimes

Scams are crimes

Coronavirus frauds and scams

Report a scam or fraud

Stay up to date

Sign up to Senior Watch

Follow Trading Standards on Twitter

Scams and frauds advice

Online advice

Talk to someone

Printable leaflets

Scam crimes come in many forms

Cold callers

Junk mail

Unexpected phone calls

Become a Friend Against Scams

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