Why it matters: An estimated 6% of people across the East of England were caught out by a scam in the past year, with the impact leaving victims not only out of pocket, but in some cases unable to go about their daily lives.
The big picture: As part of its annual scams awareness campaign, running from 20 October to 2 November, Citizens Advice is highlighting the many ways people are being duped by scammers and offering its top tips on how to prevent being caught out.
The charity's research shows more than a quarter (26%) of those across the UK were duped while online shopping, with these types of scams including fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods.
The details: Citizens Advice Ipswich has revealed the top five scams people have unwittingly fallen for in the past year across the country:
Online shopping scam (26%) – includes fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods
Investment scam (18%) – like 'get rich quick' schemes and cryptocurrency scams
Other financial scam (18%) – such as banking, fake loans, card and bank account fraud
A friend or family member 'needs help' scam (16%) – tricked into thinking someone you care about needs money urgently
Mobile network scam (14%) – includes being scammed into taking out a new contract or paying for a new handset
With online shopping scams stealing the top spot, the charity is urging consumers to be cautious when taking advantage of shopping deals ahead of Black Friday and Christmas.
What they're saying: Nicky Willshere, CEO at Citizens Advice Ipswich, said: "Opportunistic scammers are preying on hard times to trick people into handing over their cash, and their tactics are getting harder to spot.
"There's a scam out there for everyone, and anyone can be caught. The impact can be devastating – leaving people not only out of pocket, but in some cases, unable to go about their daily lives.
"As scammers get ever more sophisticated, it's so important to all work together to raise awareness, report scams and share our experiences to help protect ourselves from their tricks."
How to protect yourself: Citizens Advice Ipswich says something might be a scam if:
Someone you don't know contacts you unexpectedly, or you're asked to transfer money quickly
You're being asked to share personal or security information like passwords, PINs or codes
You suspect you're not dealing with a real company, for example, there's no postal address
You've been asked to pay in an unusual way – paying by debit or credit card gives you extra protection if things go wrong
The golden rule is that if something seems too good to be true or doesn't feel right, it might be a scam, so take a moment and get advice
If you've been scammed:
Talk to your bank or card company immediately if you've handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
You can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for help with what to do next
The bottom line: With scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, the message from Citizens Advice is clear – anyone can be caught, and being scam-aware this autumn could save you from devastating financial and personal consequences.
