What is a scam?

Scams are fraud and fraud is crime. According to the National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team: “Scams make victims part with their money and personal details by intimidating them or promising cash, prizes, services and fictitious high returns on investment.”

Reporting a scam

Scams should be reported to Action Fraud on their website or by calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm).

Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It collects reports about fraud on behalf of the police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In the case of doorstep scams (rogue trading, distraction burglary or Nottingham Knockers), these should be reported to Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Call 999 if it’s a live incident or, if it has already happened, call 101 or use the reporting tool on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.

Forward suspicious e-mails to report@phishing.gov.uk

Forward suspicious texts to 7726.

In all cases notify your bank as soon as possible if you think you have been scammed.

If you are concerned that somebody may be responding to scams

If you have concerns that somebody you know is responding to scams, talk to them about it. If they would like the scams to be investigated, encourage them to report them as above.

Sometimes people who become trapped in a cycle of responding to scams have additional support needs. If you think this is the case, you can contact the County Council’s Adult Safeguarding Team to see what support could be put in place.

The harm of scams

Not only do scams cause financial harm to their victims they can also cause harm to a person’s wellbeing. Anxiety, fear, depression and even suicidal thoughts can result from being defrauded. Remember, scams are fraud and fraud is crime. You should report scams to Action Fraud just like you would report any other crime. Victims should be supported just as victims of any other crime are supported.

Protecting yourself and others from scams

Scammers target potential victims in a variety of ways. Click each of the methods scammers use below to read some top tips to protect yourself and others from the financial and emotional harm of scams. N.B. The examples given are not an exhaustive list, just examples of some of the more common scams in that category.