Scams are so commonplace now we all have to be vigilant. At our September general meeting Becky Spillane, Leicestershire police’s Fraud Vulnerability Officer, gave us a comprehensive guide to common schemes currently operating and how to deal to them. Many are random in their approach, others are targeted. Just signing up for a Co-op card involves sharing your personal data, which can be breached and sold on to criminals.

Becky talked about various scams; phone calls such as ‘your money is at risk’, ‘I need your help’ texts, ‘too good to be true’ investments, missed parcel deliveries, job offers, key safes risks, urgent house repairs and several others - adding in humorous anecdotes to keep us attentive and entertained.

Scammers can clone genuine phone numbers such as that of your bank. They’re always polite and appear professional. They gain your confidence, get you stressed about an urgent problem and stop you thinking rationally. The mantra is: stop, think, challenge. And never act under duress.