2. About the National Trading Standards Scams Team

3. About Friends Against Scams
‘Take a Stand Against Scams.’

4. Who is who in Friends Against Scams?
SCAMchampions
SCAMbassadors

5. SCAMchampions Attend a SCAMchampion training session.
Recruit new Friends Against Scams.
Hold Friends Against Scams Awareness sessions.

6. Why is learning about scams important?

7. To get victims hooked and responding to scams, criminals rely on:
Shame
Social isolation
Loneliness
Vulnerable circumstances
And the fact that victims might not always admit (or be aware) that they are a victim of a crime.

8. A cycle of victimisation
Victim responds to scam.
Personal details added to a Victim’s list.
Criminals target the victim.
Victim receives more scams.
Victim loses money.

9. Scam victims SUFFER IN SILENCE
£1 million
30 pieces of mail
10 phone calls
Doorstep Scams victim being escorted to the bank.
£160k
Work on driveway
2 year repeat visits

10. Letter from a scam victim to a criminal
“So sorry, so if I’m not too late, PLEASE can we start again? Will you write to me again and I’ll send you your £30?”

11. Scam victims are often lonely and the criminal is the only ‘friend’ they have.
“I get up, I wait for the post, I sort it, I go to bed. What else have I got? I might as well be dead.”
“I hope I win, so I can move to a home. I want someone to talk to.”
“I don’t get out, because I'm frightened. These letters are all the company I ever get.”

12. Five key points about scams
53%
£5 – 10 billion
Anyone 5%
Criminals

13. Types of scams Postal scams Telephone scams Doorstep scams
Online scams

14. Lottery or Prize Draw Scam
Postal Scams
A victim in Yorkshire added together all the alleged winnings from postal scam mail and over a six month period she would have won £2.8 million.
Lottery or Prize Draw Scam
Catalogue Scam
Clairvoyant Scam
Inheritance Scam

15. Would you respond? Requests money first before getting prize.
Customer’s 1st name is used in the letter to make it personal.
Made to look authentic with directors name, picture and signature.
Letter is written to put people under pressure to reply.
Stamps are used to make it look official.
PO Boxes are used instead of full postal address.
Fake testimonials or money back guarantees to make offer seem genuine.
Too good to be true offers.
Made to look dazzling.
Often says to keep their winnings a secret.

16. Telephone Scams
In a recent project, whereby call blocker devices were installed in the homes of telephone scam victims, 93% of users felt safer as a result of having a device to eliminate scam calls.
Vishing
SMShing
Investment Scam
Pension Scam
Computer Scam

17. Mr G’s story

18. Doorstep Callers (Rogue Traders) Bogus Callers (Distraction Burglary)
Doorstep Scams
Lottery or Prize Draws
Catalogue Scam
Clairvoyant Scam
Inheritance Scam
You are legally entitled to a 14 day cooling off period for contracts made in your home.
Doorstep Callers (Rogue Traders)
Bogus Callers (Distraction Burglary)

19. The Twin’s story

20. Impersonation of UK officials
Online Scams
53 per cent of the population now view online crimes as seriously as 'physical world' crimes, destroying the notion internet fraud is 'faceless' and of less importance than
other offences.
Phishing
Pharming
Romance Scam
Impersonation of UK officials

21. Would you respond? Inconsistent email address.
Incorrect URL / website links.
Poor spelling and grammar.
Pressure to respond.
Often contains an attachment.
Overuse of capital letters.
Absent or inadequate signature.
Inconsistent subject and content.
Vague or non-existent subject.
Not addressed to a specific person.
Requests for personal or financial information.

22. Financial hardship and / or self neglect
How to spot a victim…
Postal Scams
Post office
Mail
Stamps
Cheque books
Products
Free gifts
Telephone Scams
Phone calls
Payments
SMS messages
Friends
Helpful caller
Opportunities
Doorstep Scams
Poor quality
Unnecessary work
Fearful
Pressure
Cash withdrawals
Online Scams
Suspicious s
Final demands
Refunds
Online relationship
Payments
Financial hardship and / or self neglect

23. Anyone can be a scam victim.
Health issue
Dementia
Vulnerable
Socially isolated
Lonely
Pressure
Sense of purpose
Targeted by criminals
Trust easily

24. Consequences of falling for scams.
Attempt or commit suicide
Poor mental, physical or emotional health
Debts
Damaged relationships
Repeat victimisation
More likely to end up in care

25. Scams are the product of organised, predatory criminals…
…who gain trust to exploit and steal money.
Use befriending and grooming techniques
Appear legitimate
Helpful
Persuasive
Persistent
Friendly
Charming
Threatening
Aggressive
Intimidating

26. Test your knowledge!

27. Top Tips - what can you do to protect yourself and/or others?1
Never disclose security details. 2
Don’t assume everyone is genuine. 3
Don’t be rushed. 4
Listen to your instincts. 5
Stay in control.

28. Top Tips - what more can you do?
Talk
Report
Contact bank
Seek further help

31. You are now a Friend Against Scams.
Congratulations!
You are now a Friend Against Scams.

32. Make a pledge and turn your knowledge into action.
What’s next?
Make a pledge and turn your knowledge into action.

33. The Friends Against Scams Team have pledged the following:

34. So, what will be your pledge?

35. Thank you for joining us today
Visit us online for all the latest news and information about Friends Against Scams:
#FriendsAgainstScams