Moray Council signs up in the battle against scammers

MORAY Council is to become a ‘Friends Against Scams’ organisation in a bid to combat the millions lost by residents in Moray each year.

Members of the Planning & Regulatory Services Committee this morning approved the move, which will see staff trained on how to support and advise relatives, friends and neighbours about scams.

In the six months to 31 May 2017, Moray Council’s Trading Standards received 22 complaints about suspected scam and rogue traders. Figures suggest that only five per cent of victims report these crimes, which indicates almost 900 scam and rogue trade incidents occur each year in Moray.

Moray Council is well placed to help in the fight against scams, with customer-facing employees in trading standards, community safety, community care, social work and housing.

Cllr Wilson, chair of the planning committee, said it was important for staff to be able to support those who are, or may become, victims of fraud.

He said: “It’s estimated that that fraud costs every man, woman and child in Moray up to £156 per year. This is unacceptable and as well as financial losses, victims can suffer longer-lasting effects on their health and wellbeing.

“We’re offering our staff the opportunity to take part in free training, which will help them help the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Members of the public and other organisations can become friends, and Moray Council's Trading Standards Manager, Peter Adamson, encouraged others to join. 

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Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.