Innovative scams scheme is first in Wales

Carmarthenshire County Council Trading Standards and Dyfed Powys Police have become the first in Wales – possibly the UK – to team up with a national bank to launch an official safeguarding scheme to protect vulnerable people from scams.

Proud to be leading the way in preventing people falling victim to scammers, they have formed a local partnership with Barclays bank to identify potential scams before people part with their cash.

As part of the innovative ‘Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme’ (FESS), Trading Standards services offer staff training, a regular presence at local branches, a rapid response referral system, dedicated advice and referrals to adult protection and housing support teams if ongoing professional support is required.

They will also use an email and text alert intelligence notification system to let bank staff and customers know about particular scams that they have identified.

The scheme forms part of Carmarthenshire Trading Standards’ broader campaign which includes the implementation no cold calling zones, intelligence led home visits, the installation of Truecall call blocking and telephone line monitoring equipment, as well as ongoing advice and support through a local support network.

It is hoped that other banks, financial institutions and support providers will join the scheme in the near future.

Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “We have worked closely with Barclays in Ammanford in recent months and have been extremely successful in identifying several victims of scams and preventing some of our most vulnerable and elderly people from sending tens of thousands of pounds away to bogus lotteries, prize draws and investment scams.

“Due to the success we have already seen in a very short space of time, we believe the scheme is going to have a real, measurable and positive impact on the finances, health and wellbeing of many vulnerable people, as well as providing valuable intelligence to our enforcement agencies.”

A new national Scams Hub, formed through the National Trading Standards Board, estimates that every year, British people lose close to £5billion to scams, including bogus prize draws, investment fraud and phishing emails.

Suzanne Jones, Barclays Ammanford Branch Manager, said: “At Barclays we are working closely with the Police and Trading Standards to try to prevent people being caught by rogue traders and fraudsters.

“We have produced a range of fraud prevention videos and information sheets which can be accessed online, and colleagues in our branches continue to be vigilant.

“We will often question customers if they feel they could be under duress when asking to withdraw large sums of money, especially the elderly in addition to a range of internal fraud prevention protocols to protect customers from fraud.

“We hope this initiative will help to raise awareness of the different kinds of scams in existence and reduce the number of customers falling victim to this distressing crime.”

Chief Inspector Alun Samuel, of the Neighbourhood Development Department of Dyfed Powys Police, added: “We are delighted to work together with Trading Standards and Barclays Bank to combat the danger of scams – scams usually target vulnerable people but anyone can be a victim.”

“If anyone feels they have been targeted by scams by letter, phone call, computer, text messages, please contact us by calling 101.”

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards would welcome participation in the scheme from all financial institutions within the county including banks, building societies, Post Offices and money transfer facilities such as Western Union and UKASH Agents as well as from other public service organisations and third party advice and support providers. If you or your organisation are interested in participating in the scheme please contact Carmarthenshire Trading Standards on 01267 234567.