Cupar CARF launches campaign to help scupper the scammers

Local MSP Willie Rennie (front) at the launch, with, from left - volunteer Bernard O'Donnell, bureau manager Irene Martin, volunteer Ann Adamson, CARF operations manager Myrian Lazo and volunteers Cynthia Greenweed and Richard Wigfield.

MSP for North East Fife Willie Rennie called at the office in St Catherine Street to help promote Scams Awareness Month, which aims to show people how to spot a scam.

And on Wednesday Cupar CARF hosted an event in Cupar Library at which people learned the tell-tale signs of fraud.

Cold calls, high-pressure sales tactics and automated voicemails asking for people’s details are just some of the tricks scammers are using to rob people of their hard earned money.

And fraud victims pay a heavy price, losing billions of pounds every year. Scams targeting people by phone or post alone cost people in the UK an estimated UK £5 billion each year.

Irene Martin, bureau co-ordinator of Cupar CARF, said: “Scams come in a variety of guises and we see new ones emerging all the time.

“However, there are common hallmarks to every scam and we’re keen to show local people what to look out for so they don’t fall prey to a fraudster.

“Reporting suspicious offers and incidents of fraud is vital to getting scams closed down. If you think you’ve been contacted by a con artist or have been the victim of scam, seek advice and report it to the authorities.”

Get advice and report it to Trading Standards through your local Citizens Advice Bureau or through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.