Scams

About the different types of scams and how to support victims of scams. How to 'Take a Stand Against Scams' with Suffolk Trading Standards.

Scams are created to trick you into handing over money or personal details. They can be targeted at businesses or individuals.

As well as leaving people out of pocket, it is estimated that £5 billion to £10 billion is lost to scams each year in the UK. Scams may occur through phone calls, letters, emails, the internet or at your door.

To find out more about scams:

Victims are often left feeling a sense of shame and social isolation, but don't feel embarrassed as it can happen to anyone.

How to spot a scam

Scammers will:

  • contact you out of the blue
  • ask for personal or financial details
  • put you under pressure to respond quickly
  • ask you to keep their offer a secret
  • make promises that sound too good to be true.

You should:

  • verify their identity
  • look out for grammatical or spelling mistakes
  • never give out your bank details
  • never send money to someone you don’t know
  • say no to persuasive sales talk.

Report a scam

If you believe you are a victim of a scam, been sold a faulty product or been received poor service, you can report it.

Report a scam

Protect yourself against scams

Preventing residents and businesses becoming the victims of crimes including fraud is a key priority for the service. Suffolk Trading Standards has a number of initiatives to help those that live and work in Suffolk avoid falling victim to a scam or a fraudster.

If you would like to ask about providing a talk on scams to a local group or about an educational event, you can get in touch with us. Suffolk Trading Standards works in partnership with Suffolk Police and HSBC to deliver prevention advice at these events. Contact us via email on tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk

Become a Trading Standards Champion

Each week we will send you an email with details of all the scams and rogues targeting Suffolk, which will help to protect and empower you and your local community.

The email also provides guidance on your Consumer Rights as well as the dangerous products that have been recalled (see a copy of a recent alert here).

Sign up to receive a weekly Consumer Champions email alert.

Take a Stand Against Scams

Friends Against Scams is a campaign which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to 'Take a Stand Against Scams'.

Scams affect the lives of millions of people across the UK. People who are scammed often experience loneliness, shame and social isolation.

By completing the online learning (which takes approximately 20 minutes), anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim.

With increased knowledge and awareness, people can make scams part of everyday conversation with their family, friends and neighbours, which will enable them to protect themselves and others.

Use a Trusted Trader

Suffolk Trusted Trader is a Trading Standards scheme aimed to help protect residents and stop doorstep crime. 

Choose with confidence - all the businesses listed in the Suffolk Trusted Trader directory have been checked by Trading Standards.

Trading Standards check each business before it's listed by running background checks. We also monitor reviews customers leave for the businesses.

Suffolk Trusted Trader Directory

Useful information