How to recognise a Scam
A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something, usually money. Scams are on the increase. We explore different scams and how to report them.

Scam Information and Support
We know that the coronavirus outbreak has seen an increase in scams and doorstep traders. People trying to exploit fear and uncertainty. They often target elderly and vulnerable people and usually imitate Benefit or Government emails. Some of them are really convincing and can easily catch you out, and they can be really distressing Please keep safe, always ask for a person’s ID if you are unsure, and don’t open links and attachments from unknown emails.
Types of Scam
Doorstep Scam
Or doorstep fraud involves someone coming to your home and knocking on the door, with the aim of tricking you out of money. There can be added pressure with face-to-face interaction, and this can sometimes be even more challenging than dealing with other types of scams, such as phone scams and online scams.
Phone Scam
Fraudsters are cunning in their phone-scam tactics and it’s not always easy or obvious to tell straight away whether it’s a scam. Stay one step ahead with the tips set out in this article by Which Magazine

Post Scam
Scam mail can take the form of fake lotteries and prize draws, get-rich-quick schemes, bogus health cures, investment scams and pyramid schemes. Sometimes these can be sent to you if a scammer has got hold of your contact details fraudulently.
Sometimes they are tricky to spot. Royal Mail helps you look out for scam mail, and explain how you can avoid falling victim to it on their website.
For help with email, telephone, and text scams click here.
Scam information in British Sign Language
How to avoid scams and how to report them


Money related scams
All banks and building societies have information on their websites about how to contact them and what to do if you have been the victim of a money-related scam.
This list features the big banks and building societies; if yours is not listed, search “[bank / building society name] report fraud” to report suspicious communications.
HMRC Government Scams:
You can report something suspicious to HM Revenue and Customs’s (HMRC) phishing team, for example:
- a text message (forward it to 60599 – you’ll be charged at your network rate)
- an email (forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk)
- a message in an application, for example WhatsApp – take a screenshot and forward as an email
- phone calls asking for personal information or threatening a lawsuit (report a phone call)
Victim Support
Isolation may increase domestic abuse, violence, and crime, please be assured there is help available, our Victim Support team works closely with Victim Care Devon and Cornwall to provide victim support services to disabled and Deaf communities across Devon. We offer support for both reported and non-reported crimes, helping the victim to overcome the effects caused by a crime. Our volunteers are trained to give emotional support, information, practical help (including in British Sign Language) to people that have been affected by a crime. This is a free and confidential service call us on 01392 459222 or SMS text 07734 768910 or email info@livingoptions.org

There are several covid related scams to look out for, these include ones on the covid vaccination. Remember the NHS will never:
- ask for, or accept, cash for vaccines
- ask for your banking details or identity documents
- turn up at your residence unannounced
If you have received a text message, email or phone call where someone has tried to charge you for the vaccine please report this to Action Fraud, even if you haven’t given them any money.
For those who have received an email that they think could be fraudulent, they should report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS).
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the official national fraud and cybercrime reporting website. On this website you can:
- Report a fraud
- Report in a range of languages
- Use a typing live chat
- Read about different types of fraud
- Links to useful organisations that can help educate you about protecting against fraud and help if you have been the victim of fraud
- News about active scams and how to protect yourself
- Guidance on recovering a hacked account

There are several different ways to contact the police depending on the support you need. Remember in an emergency always call 999. To find our more about their support services during the pandemic visit the Devon and Cornwall Police website.
Citizen Advice Bureau
Offer lots of help and support with online scams, how to report on and offline scams, and check if something is a scam. Use the Citizen Advice Online Scam Helper on their website.

Help and Support
Need some advice or would like to talk to someone? Our friendly Time to Talk team are on hand to offer confidential listening and support.
You can all them for free on 0300 303 3691
or call our friendly Hub team 03192 459 222 info@livingoptions.org
The team are trained to provide support and information relevant to your needs and concerns, including sensory loss and counselling, both of which might be affecting your mobility.
The Hub
Your first point of contact with Living Options Devon, our friendly Hub team connects you to the support services, advice, and information that you need.
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Our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability and/or long-term health condition.
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Six free sessions of accessible counselling to people with a disability and members of the Deaf community (British Sign Language Users) across Devon.
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Supporting disabled and Deaf BSL users to become more active and engage in sport and physical activity
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Providing easy access to the countryside for anyone who has difficulty walking, through an off road mobility scooter hire scheme
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Ask your local shops to make a commitment to improving access. This could be through implementing the hidden disability sunflower lanyard scheme, or supporting customers with sensory needs with formal quiet hours.
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