Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team is warning people to be on their guard against scammers, and asking people to look out for the welfare of elderly relatives, neighbours and friends.

Their warning comes on National Safeguarding Day (Monday, February 29), when Trading Standards teams across the country are joining forces to raise awareness of scams.

In Carmarthenshire, the team has dealt with thousands of pounds worth of fraud in the last 12 months alone - mostly concerning older people and those vulnerable through ill health.

They include an elderly resident of St. Clears who was duped out of £4,500 after receiving a bogus prize draw notification. Initially no money was asked for, but the resident then received a letter purporting to be from the United Nations advising they had received notification that £750,000 was being transferred into the UK, but due to counter terrorism measures they needed the customer to validate that the money was not going to be used to fund terrorism before they could permit the money to enter the country. The resident would have to obtain a certificate to this effect which would cost £8,000 - the customer could not afford it, but managed to negotiate discount and subsequently withdrew £4,500 from her local bank which she put into a local building society account.

The scams came to light through the national Scams Hub, and also through the Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme (FESS) - a multi-agency scheme established by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards in 2014.

It is the first of its kind in Wales, and works not only to prevent fraud and identify victims, but also protects them from further exploitation by putting support in place from social care and housing teams.

All Halifax and Barclays branches in the county are members of the scheme, as are every Citizens Advice Bureau in Carmarthenshire.

Staff have received specialist training to help them recognise the signs of financial abuse, and if they believe one of their customers is a victim, they refer them to Trading Standards for an immediate intervention, which may also involve the police.

Clr. Jim Jones, executive board member for public protection at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “National Safeguarding Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of scams, and the kind of tactics fraudsters will use to commit their crimes.

“We are proud that here in Carmarthenshire we are making it more difficult than ever for the scammers by investing Proceeds of Crime Act funds into innovative schemes such as FESS to identify, protect and support victims.”

He added: “If anyone is concerned that they are a victim, or believe that someone they know could be a victim, please act quickly to get advice and support.

“We will work tirelessly to uncover fraudsters and help bring them to justice.”

Take a stand against scams by being aware about how to spot one.

Here are some things to look out for: out of the blue ’phone calls, letters and emails, being asked to send money to claim a prize, being told of winnings when a competition wasn’t entered, too good to be true offers, pressure selling, uninvited door step callers, being asked share your personal details, secrecy.

If you suspect a scam or think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, please report it to the Citizens Consumer Advice Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards can be contacted on 01267 234567.