Be Scam Alert This Festive Season

Nehemiah is aware that the festive season is not only a time for good cheer and getting together with loved ones – it’s also, unfortunately, a time to be on alert for scams.

It’s important to be scam alert this festive season to keep you and your family safe. Criminals don’t take a holiday and the risk of scammers targeting social housing tenants increases at this time of year as people are spending more time at home as well as shopping online.

How To Avoid Scams This Festive Season

The Housing Ombudsman states there are 4 scams that are most common at Christmas, and that being aware will help to protect you from them.

The 4 common scams of the festive season are:

• Fake Messages
  Scammers often send a text message or email that claims to be from the victim’s relatives and asking them to send money. Be naturally suspicious if you see a message like this and always contact the person it’s meant to be from to double check – don’t feel pressurised to respond as it’s likely to be a scam. Only reply when you’re certain it’s a genuine message of help.
• Fake Adverts
  Be wary of adverts when shopping online as many are fake. Never buy from a website you don’t know before you have run some checks first – read some reviews, check the company’s details on Companies House, read the Ts&Cs, and pay by debit or credit card for protection.
• Home Improvement Offers
  Be wary of tradespeople offering cheap and fast fixes to your home or help for you to claim money for housing disrepair. Many rogue traders take advantage of those who want or need to make home improvements. If you are looking for a company for home improvement, make sure you research potential companies first and ideally go with recommendations. We have more information and help on avoiding claims management companies that encourage people to make claims for disrepair in their homes, here.
• Financial Opportunities
  Investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, likely are. If you spot any financial investment offers, seek advice from someone you trust first and don’t feel pressurised into acting before you feel ready to do so.

It’s a good rule of thumb to never hand over personal details to someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person.

The BBC is this week running a week long campaign to raise awareness of scams and you can find out more here and they are also running a series of roadshows around the country

How To Report A Scam

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has created a helpful guide about data protection law. You can find out more about your rights to ensure data protection is being handled correctly or to report any issues with data protection and to make a complaint, on the ICO website.

Reporting scams help to stop the criminals and prevent others from being targeted by the scams in future.

• You can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 for advice and support on how to report the scam to Trading Standards.
• You can report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040who will take the necessary action, or visit their website.

Nehemiah Is Here To Help & Support

We put tenants’ wellbeing and safety at the heart of all we do – we want to make sure you don’t fall for a scam this festive season.

If ever you’re unsure about a message or whether something might be a scam, we are here to help – you can contact your Housing Officer or call us on 0121 358 0966 or email contact@nehemiah.co.uk and we will do all we can to help you and keep you and your family safe from scammers this Christmas.