Spot the scam

Supported by the PSNI and Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership, the ScamwiseNI campaign aims to teach the public to be vigilant of any contact from an unsolicited source, whether that is from doorstep callers, telephone, mail or online.

Community Safety Sergeant Terry McKenna commented: “There are countless ways that criminals have found to scam people but there are steps we can all take to be scam wise.

“To support the campaign, a short film has been produced which details the experience of ‘Erika’ who has been a victim of scammers. We have also re-published the ‘Little Book of Big Scams’ which lists some of the key scams around at the minute and what to do if you think you are being targeted or may be a victim.”

Speaking about the campaign which involves advertising on sites across the area, Alderman William King, Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP chair, said: “Scams can have a distressing effect on victims. They cause financial loss and can undermine your sense of safety and wellbeing.

“We welcome the work the ScamwiseNI Partnership is doing to tackle this issue and look forward to seeing the impact it has. If you have - or know someone who has – been a victim of fraud, no matter how small, you should report it to the PSNI or Action Fraud.”

Watch Erica’s film on her experience of being victim of scammers on: https://youtu.be/0g01EKljWhE

Last week, A Portrush pensioner revealed how she foiled a caller seeking to part her from her savings as part of a payment protection insurance (PPI) con.

Ray Weir, 77, told the Times that the scammer who targeted her had been “very convincing” and had even used advice on preventing fraud to persuade her he was genuine. However, she was alert to his approach and put the phone down before drawing the matter to the attention of the police.

For more information on what kind of scams are around and what to do if you encounter one, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni