BRADFORD people are being urged to be on their guard against scams.
Advice has been issued as part of Scams Awareness Month to help people avoid becoming a victim.
The campaign is being supported by West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.
Earlier this year, he was appointed a ‘SCAMbassador’ as part of a scheme run by the National Trading Standards Scams Team and partner organisations.
He works with members of the community regionally and with people on a national level to educate and support those who may be particularly vulnerable to scams.
“The reality is that anyone can become a victim,” said Mr Burns-Williamson.
“Scams damage lives and can severely affect people both financially and emotionally.
“I want to do what I can to help prevent people falling foul of scammers, so I am happy to carry out my work as a SCAMbassador.
“It is particularly important to safeguard those that are vulnerable and that’s why I also part fund the West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team, which is made-up of co-located specialists from the police, adult social care and Trading Standards.
“The team investigates financial exploitation and abuse of vulnerable and older victims and has achieved a number of successful prosecutions, so far preventing over £1 million from going into the pockets of scammers!”
Linda Davis, head of the team, says some people have lost their homes or life savings to scammers.
She added: “Scams are operated by criminals with the sole purpose of identifying and exploiting people who are often vulnerable, elderly or have cognitive difficulties.
“The average West Yorkshire victim has lost £4,900 to scams but some have lost much more.”
Advice includes:
l If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
l Reject cold calls offering investments or pension advice.
l If in doubt, don’t reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up.
l If you receive an unsolicited e-mail that doesn’t seem right, do not click on any links.
l Walk away from job ads that ask for money in advance.
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