Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop highlights Scams Awareness Fortnight which runs from Monday 13th June to Sunday June 26th.
According to figures from Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership around 40 million adults in the UK have been targeted by potential scams.
Scammers have targeted people by email, as well as other methods of communication, claiming to be from the energy regulator Ofgem and have been asking individuals to enter their bank details in order to get an energy rebate.
The numbers from Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership show that this is a 14% increase in the number of people who have been targeted by scammers this year.
Fiona said;
“I am pleased to highlight Scams Awareness Fortnight as we see an alarming increase in these figures which have been released by Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership.
“People across Scotland are continuing to build back from the Covid pandemic and are now dealing with the Cost of Living Crisis and it is concerning that potential scammers will use current circumstances to target vulnerable people.
“I would urge everyone to remain vigilant and would strongly encourage anyone who has been or suspects they may have been targeted by a scammer to report this to the appropriate bodies. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free, confidential and impartial advice.”
NOTES
Editor’s note: Further information on Reporting a Scam can be found from Citizens Advice Scotland using the following link – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/