The Scottish public has been warned to keep an eye out for new cost-of-living scams as national campaign ScamWatch Fortnight 2022 gets underway.
‘Read Between the Li(n)es’ is a campaign looking to highlight the importance of remaining vigilant as fraudsters are increasingly using emails, texts, and social media to target users of all ages.
With the current rise in energy bills high on the news agenda, reported cost-of-living scams include fake discounts on prepayment meters and bogus offers of energy or HMRC rebates, which leave potential victims even more disadvantaged.
Consumers are also being warned about investment scams such as cryptocurrency deals, often featuring sham celebrity or expert endorsements, circulated on social media.
Alongside this and the cost-of-living scams are bank telephone cons and romance frauds, designed to steal money.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Scottish ScamWatch Fortnight is an “important campaign helping people to read between the lines when they are contacted unexpectedly by someone over the phone, by email or at their front door”.
The Scottish ScamWatch Fortnight, which runs on social media platforms until August 28, will look at scam methods and offer free advice on the ways in which consumers can reduce exposure to scammers.
Scottish ScamWatch Fortnight has provided advice to people who may be concerned they are trying to be scammed:
- Don’t send them any money or buy anything;…
