North-east consumers have been urged to be aware of new cost-of-living scams with ScamWatch Fortnight under way.
This year’s “Read Between the Li(n)es” campaign highlights the importance of remaining vigilant – with fraudsters using emails, texts and social media to prey on people of all ages.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot on behalf of the Scottish Government, continues to see new tactics deployed as criminals try to manipulate struggling households.
With energy bills set to soar, reported scams include fake discounts on prepayment meters and bogus offers of energy or HMRC rebates, which leave potential victims even more disadvantaged.
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”.
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 are bank telephone scams and romance frauds, designed to steal money.
Scots are also being encouraged to be aware of traditional doorstep scams by bogus callers posing as tradespeople.
The Scottish ScamWatch Fortnight, which runs on social media platforms until Sunday, August 28, will look at scam methods…
