Norwich is a top hotspot for scammers out to steal your cash
Figures released by an advice charity have named Norwich as a national hotspot for scamming with 77 cases reported in three months.
A study by Citizens Advice ranked the city 11th in a list of the top 20 places in England and Wales where people fell victim to fraudsters.
Between January and March this year , scams claimed an average of £1,814 from victims – the national average was £2,500 – with one incident claiming £30,000 from its victim for bogus building repairs.
The most common method used included cold calls, doorstep calls and emails asking for an upfront fee to claim compensation for bank charges.
The report analysed 5,000 scam cases reported to Citizens Advice. Bournemouth topped the chart with residents reporting more scams than people in any other area in England and Wales.
Figures are based on the number of scams per head of population.
Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said: Con artists are using different tricks to rob people up and down the country.
“Some areas are suffering a blight of cold calls about computer viruses, while others are bombarded with letters about lottery winnings which actually cost the victims money.
If you think you may have lost money to a fraudster, seek advice straight away so you can try to get your money back. Reporting scams is the only way to stop scams spreading and get them closed down for good.
A care provider in Norwich has been working with the national scam awareness charity Think Jessica to provide support and advice on fraud to the elderly population in the city.
Home Instead Senior Care provides workshops to those living in their own homes and visits community groups to educate people on how to protect themselves from falling victims to scams.
Chris Carter, managing director said “We have reached more than 800 people in Norwich over the last few years. Faceless criminals who use email, telephone and post to lure their victims into parting with their life savings, personal; banking information and other asserts, often prey on the elderly who they see as easy targets for their crimes. Our fraud protection work-shops are designed to protect older people from becoming victims of scams and support them to live safely and independently at home.
Call Home Instead Senior Care on: 01603482116
Thanks to Rebecca Murphy of The Eastern Daily Press.
You can contact Rebecca on [email protected]
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