SHOPPERS are being urged to stay vigilant during National Scams Awareness Month.
Citizens Advice and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, local Citizens Advice and trading standards offices, are sending out ‘beware of being scammed’ messages in Bury.
Research has shown that 45-60 year olds are most affected, and by a wide range of scams, often losing large amounts of money. There is also a rise in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds being scammed – which is the group least likely to report a scam.
The message of this year’s scams awareness month is ‘Play your part, act on scams’.
Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing at Bury Council, said: “Scams are still a large issue for many consumers, and can lead to large financial losses and affect people’s mental well-being. Techniques are getting more sophisticated in order to trick people. Methods used change regularly, and sometimes it’s hard to know if something is a scam or not. If you are suspicious, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.”
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