Five ways you can support our Stop The Scammers campaign

According to statistics compiled by Action Fraud, the victims in more than a third of those cases were individual members of the public rather than businesses.

It is thought that only five per cent of all fraud victims make a report to the authorities, meaning the true scale of the crime is likely to be much greater.

What is Stop The Scammers all about?

Our Stop The Scammers campaign aims to raise awareness of scams and how to spot them so that our readers can better protect themselves, their friends and their families.

We’ll be promoting the work of organisations who bring the criminals involved to justice as well as those who are there to offer support and advice for victims.

We also want to share the stories of victims here in Leeds to help remove the stigma surrounding this type of crime and encourage others to report scams to the authorities.

What action is the YEP taking as part of the campaign?

We don’t just want to highlight the issues, we also want to take practical steps to better protect our own team from the threat posed by scammers.

We’ve registered as a Friends Against Scams Organisation in support of the scheme run by National Trading Standards Scams Team.

It means we will be promoting the free Friends Against Scams training to all our staff and encouraging them to complete the online course.

We are also planning to host face-to-face sessions for our staff and readers at the YEP’s office, although these will only take place once measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus have come to an end.

Five ways you can support the fight against scams

We know the issue of scams is one that worries a lot of our readers so here are five ways that you can take action to educate yourself and those you care about:

1. Complete the free Friends Against Scams online session - it only takes around 20 minutes

2. Sign up for a face-to-face Friends Against Scams session3. Become a Scam Marshal and help investigators collate evidence of postal scams

4. Become a SCAMChampion and educate others about scams

5. Encourage your employer to become a Friends Against Scams organisation

Steps you can take to protect yourself

Mailing Preference Service (MPS) - If you sign up to this free service, you should not receive unsolicited direct mailings from member companies of the Data & Marketing Association. Steps will also be taken to prevent the receipt of unsolicited direct mailings from companies which are not DMA members. Call 0207 291 3310 or register online.

Telephone Preference Service (TPS) - This free service is the UK’s only official ‘Do Not Call’ register for landlines and mobile numbers. It allows people and businesses to opt out of unsolicited live sales and marketing calls. Call 0345 070 0707, text TPS and your email address to 85095 from your mobile or register online.

Have you got a story to share?

If you have been directly affected by a scam and want to share your story as part of your campaign, then we’d love to hear from you.

Email [email protected] or call 07860 531014 .