June is Scam Awareness Month and Citizens Advice is running a 2020 Scams Awraeness campaign from  15^th-28^th June.

Scams are crimes that can happen to anyone and we can all take a stand to help stop them. There are actions we can all take to report them, share stories and raise awareness of how to safeguard ourselves and others.

The coronavirus crisis means that protecting people against scams is now more important than ever. The heightened uncertainty and anxiety caused by the pandemic is making everyone more vulnerable, and we’ve seen scammers seeking to exploit this. Whether it’s sending emails pretending to be from a government support scheme, or knocking on doors offering fake services to those shielding, Barbara wants to make sure that you are on the lookout for potential scams.

Research by Citizen’s Advice has found that over a third of British adults (36%) have been the target of a scam since lockdown began, including 1 in 3 people (33%) in the North West.

Unfortunately it is often the most vulnerable who are targeted, for example half (50%) of those at an “increased risk of coronavirus” had been contacted by scammers.

The majority of people (64%) say they are worried someone they know will fall foul of a con.

You can find more information on the Citizens Advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/current_campaigns/scams-awareness-month/ There is also an online scam checker to help you check if something is a scam or if you have been victim of a scam: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/

It is so important that people have the confidence they need to take a stand against scams and protect themselves and others.