A NEW alert system for scam attempts in Helensburgh and Lomond has been launched as the number of fraud crimes continues to rise across the country.
While there has been a decrease in some forms of crime since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, other areas of criminality have taken advantage of people being at home more and increased social isolation, with the number of frauds reported to police in Argyll and Bute doubling over the last 12 months.
Local officers have reported a startling rise in telephone frauds since the first lockdown in March 2020.
Now a new Argyll and Bute-wide initiative aims to help the most vulnerable members of society be vigilant against scammers.
READ MORE: Fraudsters conned Helensburgh woman out of thousands of pounds, say police
The Cared For At Home Network, created by Police Scotland PC Laura Evans, alerts carers - both paid and unpaid, befrienders or someone else with regular contact with elderly or vulnerable people to recent fraud incidents, so that they can let their elderly clients or relatives know about scams that are happening in their area.
PC Evans said: “We know that our elderly and vulnerable communities are more vulnerable to being targeted by telephone scams and bogus callers. The Cared for at Home Network allows us to raise awareness throughout vulnerable groups including the elderly who are often not on social media.
“It is hoped that through sharing information and raising awareness we can help protect those at greatest risk from this type of crime.”
The Cared for at Home Network is hosted by Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, a communication system which allows police to send out timely, targeted alerts on issues of crime, safety and resilience.
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Alerts are sent out to people within the network at no cost, by email or text depending on urgency of message and your own preference.
Within Helensburgh and Lomond so far the network supports Helensburgh and Lomond Carers, The Good Care Group, ALI Energy, Carr Gomm, Citizens Advice Bureau, Careplus, Lochside Care Home and Argyll Care and Repair.
Fiona Ness, manager of Lochside Care Home in Shandon, said: “Lochside Care Home welcome the chance to be part of this initiative.
“We receive the Cared for at Home Network alerts and we then share these with our community, family and friends of our residents so this work is greatly appreciated.”
To find out more, contact PC Laura Evans, local authority liaison officer for Argyll and Bute, at laura.evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
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