Our expert warns building society customers about fraud dangers
Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust Stay Safe Online co-ordinator Richard Meek with trading standards officer Chris Hewin at Coventry Building Society in Trowbridge
OUR online safety expert Richard Meek joined Wiltshire Council’s trading standards to warn building society customers in Trowbridge about fraud risks.
Stay Safe Online co-ordinator joined trading standards officer Chris Hewin at Coventry Building Society in Trowbridge to pass on security advice. The building society is a keen supporter of the trust.
Richard said: “I was able to talk to customers about how to minimise the risks of falling victim to a scam while Chris was talking about how he and his colleagues can help them when they have problems with faulty goods or unwanted callers at the door.”
The charity’s team of police-trained Stay Safe Online volunteers visit older and vulnerable people in their homes and give talks to groups about preventing online fraud.
Our Director Jennie Shaw said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Coventry Building Society for allowing us to be in the branch. It’s so important that we are able to chat to people in informal settings like this because so many of them don’t realise how easily and quickly they can fall prey to fraudsters.
“We work closely with the police to stay abreast of the latest scams because fraudsters are continually revising and adapting what they do to get around peoples’ defences.”
Cllr Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Trading Standards, said: “Our Trading Standards team is always happy to support public events to provide advice to members of the public on how to protect themselves from rogue trading and scams.
“We are grateful to Coventry Building Society for inviting us to their branches, along with the Bobby Van, to speak to customers. We know that 85 per cent of doorstep crime victims are over 65 and many of our older residents regularly visit the building society, meaning this was an ideal opportunity for us to raise awareness and give advice on how they should protect themselves.”
The charity’s Stay Safe Online volunteers carry out free home visits or group talks to anyone over 60, or over 18 if they have a registered disability.
They provide easy to follow guidance, help improve digital/cyber security awareness, offer cyber and scam prevention advice, signpost further advice and resources, provide support and reassurance and offer basic practical skills to enable people to check and understand privacy settings.
To apply for a visit email BobbyVanOnlineSafety@wbvt.org or call 01225 256867.