Be Scams Aware

Citizens Advice and Rights Fife are raising awareness of scams in the Fife area.

75 is the average age of reported scam victims and £4500 was found to be the average financial loss for those between 75–79 years old. Those over-70 have the highest reported detriment from a number of different types of scams.

It could be a scam if:

• The call, letter, email or text has come out of the blue
• You’ve never heard of the lottery or competition they are talking about and didn’t buy a ticket
• You are asked to send money in advance
• You are told you have to respond quickly so don’t get time to think about it or talk to family and friends before you decide

We advise that you:

• Never give your bank details to people you don’t know
• Do not respond to competitions you haven’t entered and never reveal your bank details or pay fees in advance to release your prize.
• Keep important personal documents, plastic cards and chequebooks in a safe and secure place
• Shred bank statements, receipts and other documents containing any financial information, such as account numbers
• Try to memorise passwords and PIN numbers. 

Further information can be found here.