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10/11/2016
'Get Wise To Scams' Awareness Campaign Launched
A major new awareness campaign has been launched to help people "get wise to scams".
The campaign – If you can spot it, you can stop it – is a joint initiative by the Policing Board, PSNI and the Department of Justice, and is in response to the rising number of scams being reported.
According to official figures, 17% of people across Northern Ireland have been the victims of scams in the last three years, a percentage which equates to 314,840 of the population.
To support the campaign, a short film has been produced detailing the experience of 'Erika' who has been a victim of scammers.
The 'Little Book of Big Scams', which lists some of the key scams around at the minute and what to do if you think you are being targeted or may be a victim, has also been republished.
Speaking about the campaign, Justice Minister Claire Sugden said: "Scams are cruel and can have a devastating effect on victims. They cause financial loss and can undermine the sense of safety and wellbeing of victims. The attackers often target the elderly, but the reality is that no one is safe from the threat of their, often sophisticated, scams.
"I welcome the work the ScamwiseNI Partnership is doing to tackle the issue and look forward to seeing the impact it has. This initiative gives us the tools we need to protect ourselves and our families from this threat – making us all more scam-wise."
Policing Board Chair, Anne Connolly, added: "All forms of scamming are crimes but because they can often be online and faceless, many people feel more embarrassed about being duped than angry at being robbed.
"Figures show that 17% of our population have been the victims of scams but this does not include the thousands of others who have recognised the scam and ignored or prevented it, or those which have gone unreported.
"Many people who are scammed feel they are to blame for falling for it, but it's not their fault. If you have – or know someone who has – been a victim of fraud, no matter how small, you should report it to the PSNI or Action Fraud. In the meantime, it's time to get scamwise. Get the information to help you stop becoming a victim of scammers."
(MH/JP)
The campaign – If you can spot it, you can stop it – is a joint initiative by the Policing Board, PSNI and the Department of Justice, and is in response to the rising number of scams being reported.
According to official figures, 17% of people across Northern Ireland have been the victims of scams in the last three years, a percentage which equates to 314,840 of the population.
To support the campaign, a short film has been produced detailing the experience of 'Erika' who has been a victim of scammers.
The 'Little Book of Big Scams', which lists some of the key scams around at the minute and what to do if you think you are being targeted or may be a victim, has also been republished.
Speaking about the campaign, Justice Minister Claire Sugden said: "Scams are cruel and can have a devastating effect on victims. They cause financial loss and can undermine the sense of safety and wellbeing of victims. The attackers often target the elderly, but the reality is that no one is safe from the threat of their, often sophisticated, scams.
"I welcome the work the ScamwiseNI Partnership is doing to tackle the issue and look forward to seeing the impact it has. This initiative gives us the tools we need to protect ourselves and our families from this threat – making us all more scam-wise."
Policing Board Chair, Anne Connolly, added: "All forms of scamming are crimes but because they can often be online and faceless, many people feel more embarrassed about being duped than angry at being robbed.
"Figures show that 17% of our population have been the victims of scams but this does not include the thousands of others who have recognised the scam and ignored or prevented it, or those which have gone unreported.
"Many people who are scammed feel they are to blame for falling for it, but it's not their fault. If you have – or know someone who has – been a victim of fraud, no matter how small, you should report it to the PSNI or Action Fraud. In the meantime, it's time to get scamwise. Get the information to help you stop becoming a victim of scammers."
(MH/JP)
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Victims Commissioner appointment not quashed
A High Court ruling has not quashed the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Northern Ireland Interim Victims Commissioner. However, in his ruling Lord Justice Girvan said that the appointment was "improper and politically motivated.
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Ministers off to Spain to meet victims’ groups
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31 May 2023
Public Urged To 'Be On Their Guard Against Fraudsters'
Causeway Coast and Glens PSNI have issued an appeal to the public to be "on their guard against fraudsters" and look out for the signs of how to spot and stop possible online scams. The appeal comes as police continue to receive reports of scams and attempted scams across Northern Ireland.
Public Urged To 'Be On Their Guard Against Fraudsters'
Causeway Coast and Glens PSNI have issued an appeal to the public to be "on their guard against fraudsters" and look out for the signs of how to spot and stop possible online scams. The appeal comes as police continue to receive reports of scams and attempted scams across Northern Ireland.
29 November 2022
Hero Award For Trading Standards Enforcement Officer
Northern Ireland's Lead Officer on Doorstep Crime and Scams, Alison Gilchrist, has received the Trading Standards Hero Award from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) for her work safeguarding victims and potential victims of scams and rogue traders, resulting in savings of over £1m.
Hero Award For Trading Standards Enforcement Officer
Northern Ireland's Lead Officer on Doorstep Crime and Scams, Alison Gilchrist, has received the Trading Standards Hero Award from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) for her work safeguarding victims and potential victims of scams and rogue traders, resulting in savings of over £1m.
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