Scams.....
Published: Wednesday 10 June 2020Durham Constabulary have alerted us of a concern in the Ferryhill area following a number of reports that the elderly and the vulnerable are being targeted by doorstep scams, generally in the form of being offered services such as window cleaning and gardening. This usually results in a poor job (or no job) being completed but money being demanded by the offender and with the resident generally living alone and being vulnerable, they are then taken advantage of financially.
The local policing team at Ferryhill are very concerned that there may be other vulnerable victims within the area. They have been circulating letters in the known targeted areas, however, due to COVID it has not been appropriate to visit people face to face unless absolutely necessary therefore we are urging the elderly and vulnerable to be vigilant and to enquire around window cleaners, gardeners and handymen to ensure that they are not being exploited.
Although the reports have been from the Ferryhill area, other areas may be targeted. Scams are on the increase during the Coronavirus pandemic with scammers taking advantage of people who may be more isolated due to lockdown. Learn more about how to protect yourself and your community from scams and how to report them by becoming a Friend Against Scams at www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk/elearning/durham.