Welcome

May is one of my favourite months; sunny days, my wedding anniversary, two bank holidays... This year we have the added bonus that May brings the opportunity for joyful reunions after months of restrictions. I hope you all have a wonderful time as you start to enjoy spending time (and hugs!) with friends and family again. This edition we bring news of Scam Awareness Fortnight coming next month and several new resources available to help you to stay safe from scams and to help others to do so too. Please do make the most of them and let us know what you think.

New Friends Against Scams Video

The National Trading Standards Scams Team have launched a new video to help people to become scam aware in just eight minutes. 

The new video is designed to explain what a scam is and the scale of the problem; different types of scams to look out for; consequences of being a victim and the signs someone might be one; top tips to defend against scams and what you can do to raise scams awareness.

So now there are three options for people to become Friends Against Scams, gaining the knowledge and skills to take a stand against scams: 

• Attend a Friends Against Scams training session delivered by a local SCAMchampion (please contact us to enquire)
• Complete the interactive e-learning (approximately 20 minutes) here.
• Watch the new eight minute Friends Against Scams video here.

Please encourage as many people as you can to become a Friend Against Scams in whichever way suits them best. Greater awareness of scams really does mean greater protection from the harm that they cause.

Partners in the Spotlight: Citizens Advice Peterborough

Citizens Advice Peterborough is a local charity offering free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information services for the people of Peterborough. They have been a much valued CAPASP partner since our launch in 2018 and are also a Friends Against Scams organisation.

Annually in June, they participate in the Citizens Advice Scam Awareness Campaign which aims to raise awareness of the different types of scams, how to be alert to them and what people can do when they spot one. As part of this campaign, they offer Friends Against Scams training to staff, volunteers and trustees.

Here Helen Jones, Volunteer Development Manager tells us more:

"We are here to support people in times of crisis and to help them find a way forward with the issues they are experiencing. This includes vulnerable clients who may be at greater risk from scams.

There has been unprecedented demand for our service during the Covid pandemic. Since March 2020 we have helped to resolve nearly 14,000 different issues for more than 4000 local people. We have seen a huge increase in the number of local people utilising our service regarding issues relating to employment and redundancy services, claiming Universal Credit and other welfare benefits. In addition to this, we offer advice on a range of issues including housing and prevention of homelessness, money advice and dealing with debts.

At Citizens Advice Peterborough, we have a team of dedicated advisers who are working to support those in need or to provide free advice. Our face-to-face service is currently closed but you can reach us by calling our local Adviceline on 0808 278 7850 (free from landlines and mobiles) or by visiting our website at  www.citapeterborough.org.uk for self-help information.

Alternatively you can visit the National Citizens Advice website www.citizensadvice.org.uk where you can also web-chat with a trained adviser."

Free Online Loan Shark Training

Once again our friends at the England Illegal Money Lending Team are offering FREE loan shark training sessions online. The team are also now able to arrange training in person, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

There are two different training sessions: 'Can You Spot A Loan Shark' and 'Changing Lives - The Journey of a Loan Shark Victim'. Dates for the online training are as below (click the relevant link to register your place). If you would like more than 10 people from your organisation to attend an online session or would like to arrange an in-person training session please contact Bryony McDonald, LIAISE Officer for the England Illegal Money Lending Team at Bryony.McDonald@birmingham.gov.uk .

Can You Spot A Loan Shark:

• Wednesday 19^th May at 10.00am
• Monday 24^th May at 2.00pm
• Tuesday 8^th June at 11.30am
• Monday 14^th June at 2.00pm
• Monday 12^th July at 10.00am
• Wednesday 21^st July at 10.00am

Changing Lives - The Journey of a Loan Shark Victim:

• Thursday 20^th May at 2.00pm
• Wednesday 26^th May at 10.00am
• Thursday 10^th June at 11.30am
• Tuesday 15^th June at 10.00am
• Wednesday 14^th July at 2.00pm
• Monday 19^th July at 10.00am

New Supporters

We are delighted to be joined by Huntingdon Town Council (HTC) and Wolsey Way Neighbourhood Watch Scheme as new supporters this month.

Huntingdon Town Hall. Photo courrtesy of Paul Shreeve, Creative Commons.

HTC have already been sharing scams prevention articles in recent issues of their magazine, circulated to over 10,000 homes in the town and Wolsey Way NHW are raring to go in sharing information from CAPASP to keep their neighbourhood safe from scams. Fantastic!

Scams After Bereavement

A period of bereavement is one of life's most challenging times so it will come as no surprise that people who have been recently bereaved are more vulnerable to scams. 

Sadly, fraudsters don't care about anybody's health or wellbeing, in fact they see someone's recent loss as an opportunity to target them for their money.

We've created a new 'Guide to Scams following Bereavement' (with a little help from friends at Norfolk County Council), to help people to stay safe from scams as they navigate through difficult times. The guide is available on our website and will be shared by the Registration Service at the first point of contact with someone registering a death.

Community Outreach Vehicle

The Wonder Wagon!

It is with great excitement that I share news of the new Cambridgeshire Local community outreach vehicle. 

This lovingly repurposed former mobile library van is kitted out with display boards, desk spaces, audio visual equipment, WiFi and an awning for outdoor engagement and is ready to come to you!

We would love to bring the 'Wonder Wagon', as it's affectionately known,  to your community to help drive up (pardon the pun!) the awareness of scams. If you are interested in seeing us in your community and are willing to help promote our visit please contact us . 

New Friends at U3A Cambridge

Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge

This month Charlotte from Cambridgeshire County Council's Community Protection Team delivered a scams awareness talk on Zoom to over 90 members of the Cambridge branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A) which was followed up with additional advice in response to audience questions.

Don't forget we can deliver scams awareness to community groups, businesses, young people and people with special educational needs and disabilities. Please contact us to find out more. 

Scams Awareness Fortnight 2021

The annual Scams Awareness campaign, led by Citizens Advice, is taking place 14^th - 27^th June this year. 

You can play your part in the campaign by sharing resources through your community networks such as social media pages, local community buildings and with friends, family and neighbours.

More information and resources can be found here.

This year your support is more vital than ever with many people facing issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which increases their vulnerability.