Trading Standards and Councillor Angela Page, the council’s newly appointed SCAMbassador, is warning everyone to be on their guard and be more scam aware.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement and SCAMbassador said “People need to be more alert than ever to scams – particularly at this time when we know there is every potential for the unscrupulous to exploit the uncertain times in which we are living. We know that victims often lose money, sometimes large sums, with their confidence undermined as well. Especially if you do have family members who could be seen as more vulnerable, please raise this important issue with them but we all risk being duped and a good rule of thumb is that if something appears too good to be true, treat the situation with the utmost caution and be scam-aware.”
Councillor Page continued, “Our Trading Standards team have set up an email alert service which anyone can sign up to, which is designed to help residents be aware of the latest scams when we are aware of something happening locally.”
Many scams go unreported so people are encouraged to talk to their family, friends and neighbours about them. Scams come in various forms including on the internet, by post, telephone calls and on the doorstep. Fraudsters always seek to trick victims out of their cash or personal information but people can become scam aware through online learning www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk/elearning/bromley and signing up to the council’s regular Alert! on scams at www.bromley.gov.uk/scams
Residents are also reminded that the council’s Trading Standards rapid response team can be called on 07903 852090 if it is suspected that a resident is at imminent risk of being scammed, including by a potential doorstep ‘rogue trader’.
Rogue traders generally cold call someone at home and knock without invitation, and often exploit the vulnerable by convincing them to pay for shoddy or incomplete repair work, and charging extortionate fees for their services. Sometimes residents can also be threatened if they do not comply.
Members of voluntary groups, resident associations and clubs should know that they can invite the council’s Trading Standards team to visit their group to train group members to recognise the signs of a scam. Interested groups can get in touch to arrange an advice session. Email trading.standards@bromley.gov.uk
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams.
ENDS
Notes to editors: SCAMbassadors are part of the national friends against scams network which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams and they have pledged to help raise the profile of scams.
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Executive, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk