Consumers have been urged to be on the lookout for new cost of living scams in Scotland as national ScamWatch Fortnight gets underway. This year’s ‘Read Between the Li(n)es’ campaign highlights the importance of remaining vigilant as fraudsters are using emails, texts and social media to prey on people of all ages.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot on behalf of the Scottish Government, reports that it continues to see new tactics deployed as criminals try to manipulate struggling households. Gas and electricity bills are set to soar from October and so far, reported scams include fake discounts on prepayment meters and bogus offers of energy refunds or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rebates, which could leave potential victims even more disadvantaged.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Scottish ScamWatch Fortnight is an “important campaign helping people to read between the lines when they are contacted unexpectedly by someone over the phone, by email or at their front door”.
