Citizens Advice and Trading Standards are joining forces to give people in Sandwell the knowledge to spot scams.

The two organisations will be providing information as part of Scams Awareness Month, a national campaign encouraging people to report and talk about scams.

Scammers can strike at any time, from cold-calling people with a fake investment opportunity to posting online adverts for products which don’t exist. Anyone can be a victim of a scam it does not matter what age, gender or social group you are from it can happen to you.

Throughout June officers will be urging people to report scams so the authorities can chase down fraudsters. Reporting being scammed also means that people can receive advice on how to try and get their money back or any other steps they should take to protect themselves. Councillor Elaine Costigan said:

“Knowing how to spot a scam is the best line of defence against being scammed. While scammers will always use tactics like cut-price deals and pressure selling to draw people in.

"There are more ways for scammers to reach people with different bogus offers - from texts and emails to social media and online adverts.”

Bob Charnley, Sandwell's trading standards manager added: “People are also often reluctant to talk about scams so we want to highlight the issue and bring it out into the open.

People can follow the campaign on the Sandwell Trading Standards Twitter account or by following #scamaware on social media.

If you, or someone you know, has fallen victim to a scam, you can contact contact officers on 03454 04 05 06.