June is Scams Awareness Month.

A scam is a scheme to con people out of their money and could be by post, telephone or email. Sadly scams are getting more and more sophisticated and more difficult to spot.

On- line scams can take in even the most cautious people.

Scammers have the ability to send emails which look as though they come from a reputable company and it is all too easy to be fooled into clicking on a link or sending money.

For example, we know of people who have had building work carried out who have received what looks like an e-mail from their builder asking them to pay what they owe into a specific account. They then receive a second invoice from the real builder and discover that the first e-mail was from a fraudster who has duped them in to parting with often thousands of pounds. Similar stories are emerging of house buyers who are about to complete on their purchase being tricked into paying into an account other than their solicitor’s.

Our advice is to stop and think before parting with money.

There is often a stigma attached to being the victim of a scam.

People can feel ashamed and embarrassed and feel they should have noticed what was happening. No one should feel that way as scams become ever more inventive.

Please report any scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123040 and share your experience with friends and family. The more people who are aware of the problem the more difficult it is for the fraudsters. ‘Don’t be rushed and don’t be hushed’.

For free confidential advice on this or any other problem call 03442451291, contact Dorchester Citizens advice at 1 Acland Rd Dorchester or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

ANN PURVIS

CITIZENS ADVICE DORCHESTER