Get free expert advice on how to avoid being scammed

A free event that will advise people how not to fall victim to a scam is being held in Shrewsbury town centre on Wednesday 5 October 2016.

The event is being held on the ground floor of the Darwin Shopping Centre from 9am to 2pm and follows a similar successful event held in May.

It’s been organised by Shropshire Council’s public protection team and will offer expert advice on how to avoid and combat scams.

It’s estimated that 6.5 per cent of the UK adult population – some 3.2 million people – fall victim to scams every year. The most common age of scam victims is 35 to 44, though older victims are more likely to lose larger sums of money and be repeatedly scammed.

Gillian Denning, public protection officer with Shropshire Council has organised the event. She says:

“Research estimates that UK consumers lose about £3.5 billion to scams every year. At this event we’ll be advising people how to avoid falling for a scam, and what to do if they do fall victim to a scammer. Lots of organisations and companies will be on hand so we hope people will come along for some expert help and advice.”

Alongside Shropshire Council’s public protection team, the following partners will be attending the event.

• National Trading Standards Scams Team
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Victim support
• West Mercia Police
• Royal Voluntary Service
• Citizens’ Advice Bureau
• Fire Service (vulnerable adults team)
• True Call
• Solon Security

The Darwin Centre have provided space free of charge for this event.

Chronic scam victims who are repeatedly targeted by scammers often lose many thousands of pounds. These people are usually elderly, socially isolated and in declining mental health and falling victim to a scam can have a detrimental impact on the finances and the health of older and at risk people.