Drop in islanders targeted by scams during pandemic

Sunday 13 September 2020

Reported incidents of scams and frauds are down 73% compared to 2019, with feedback suggesting the public feel “more confident” about identifying potential scams.

According to figures released by the Jersey Fraud Prevention Forum this week, 42 islanders reported being targeted between January and June this year, compared to 157 in the same period in 2019.

Pictured: From January to June this year, 42 islanders fell victim to frauds, with ten of them losing a combined total of £18,300. 

While overall reported fraud-related crime is down in the island, the Forum’s Chairman, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey, is asking islanders to remain vigilant and to keep reporting these crimes when they occur.

“Although these figures look positive for Jersey, we are conscious that the island, like the rest of the world, has been living in very unusual circumstances due to covid-19.

“We are mindful that there could be many contributing factors to this decrease in reported scams and frauds. By islanders reporting these incidents to us, we are able to raise awareness and hopefully prevent others from falling victim.”

Pictured: The States of Jersey Police provide tips for spotting and avoiding scams. 

There has also been a decrease in the amount of money islanders have lost due to scams and frauds.

Of the 42 islanders targeted during the January–June period this year, scammers conned 10 of those out of £18,300, compared to 31 people losing a total of £107,171 during the same period last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey says that feedback from members of the Forum suggests that the public feel “more confident” about identifying potential scams and reporting them to the relevant authorities.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey, Chair of the Jersey Fraud Prevention Forum, has shared this short message advising Islanders to be extra vigilant after scammers have been targeting locals with Covid-19 related scams.
For more information, visit: https://t.co/Da8f8ntwjm pic.twitter.com/Quqk5vOXCo

— Jsy Fraud Forum (@JsyFraudForum) April 27, 2020

“We hope our newsletter, delivered island- wide in April, went some way to raise awareness and better equip islanders to detect and report these crimes.”

This latest newsletter focussed on covid-19 scams and included advice for islanders working from home during the pandemic. It also reminded islanders to only purchase medicines and products from authorised retailers and pharmacies.

Members of the Forum will host a webinar on 22 September where can learn about the latest frauds and scams targeting the island. For more information about the event, visit the Fraud Prevention website.

 If you think you have been targeted by a scam, contact the States of Jersey Police on 01534 612612 or email the Fraud Prevention Forum's dedicated email address scams500@police.je