CEREDIGION Citizens Advice are joining forces with Dyfed Powys Police to highlight the dangers of fraud during Scam Awareness Fortnight (June 13-26).

Last year (March 2021 to April 2022) a total of 4,362 scam cases were reported to Dyfed Powys Police.

“Fraud comes in different shapes and sizes and can affect anyone,” said DPP fraud safeguarding officer Rebecca Jones.

“These scams are forever developing – you can be scrolling through Facebook, looking at fake websites, receiving emails or telephone calls.

“Anyone can fall for it. But the effects can be devastating. One victim told us that being scammed was a worse experience than being burgled.”

Scams vary from fake loan offers to so-called ‘courier frauds’ where unsuspecting victims are cajoled into handing over cash to a caller purporting to be an official.

One particularly nasty scam is the ‘romance fraud’ where victims are groomed online over a period of time and then duped into sending cash.

They think they are romantically involved with the fraudster and refuse to believe that they are being lied to.

“People who have been scammed are embarrassed and don’t want to admit they have been duped,” said Rebecca.

Scams can vary from a few pounds to six figure sums.

She advised people to pause before taking up an offer and take time to question it.

She also urged people to challenge anyone who calls or emails purporting to be an official.

“Challenge them and hang up. If they are say they are the police, ring your local police force via 101. Check them out. If the caller is legitimate they won’t mind.”

Police urge anyone who has been scammed or is suspicious of a potential scam to ring 101 or report the incident via the Dyfed Powys Police website.

Ceredigion Citizens Advice will be highlighting the dangers of fraud throughout Scam Awareness Fortnight and will also be highlighting prevalent local scams on a regular basis on their website and social media pages.