Scams

Scams are schemes to con you out of your money or possessions. They can come to you by email, telephone calls, post or door-to-door sellers.

Citizens Advice has more information on types of scams.

Age UK has information on how to avoid scams.

Contact the Mailing Preference Service to have your name taken off direct mailing lists in the UK.

Trading Standards South West has produced a student scams toolkit to advise students about potential schemes that may target a young person living away from home for the first time.

Nuisance phone calls

A nuisance phone call is any unwelcome call that you receive in your home or on your mobile.

Ofcom (the communications regulator in the UK) has advice on different types of nuisance telephone calls or messages and what you can do about them.

The Telephone Preference Service is a free service where you can register your telephone or mobile phone. You can opt out of unwanted sales and marketing calls.

Loan sharks

The Money Advice Service has information about illegal money lenders known as loan sharks.

You can report someone you have been approached by if you think they are a loan shark. Call the police on 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Online safety

Get Safe Online has information and advice about how to stay safe online, avoid online scams and how to protect your computer.

Age UK has information for older people about internet safety.