We are taking part in the annual Scams Awareness campaign, which is running from 14 - 27 June. This campaign, which also includes Police Scotland, Trading Standards and a host of other agencies, aims to give people the skills and confidence to spot scams and report them.

We lead Citizens Advice Scotland’s Scams Action service alongside Stirling CAB which has been operating since September 2019. During this time, we have seen a wide range of scams, for example cases where people have transferred money to fake bank accounts, or builders taking money to do work and then disappearing. During the pandemic, we’ve seen the rise in online scams from text message delivery scams, fake Covid-19 vaccines to websites/texts pretending to be from HMRC offering self-employment grants. What is most pertinent to mention is that these scams are becoming more and more sophisticated.

We would appreciate your support in taking this opportunity during Scams Awareness Fortnight to remind people how to spot scams, and how to deal with them. The more aware we all are of scams, the less likely we are to be a victim of them.

CAB Advice on How to Spot a Scam

Here are some of the main warning signs of scams we are encouraging people to look out for:

• It seems too good to be true – like an email saying you’ve won a competition you don’t remember entering
• Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly
• You’re being urged to respond quickly so you don’t get time to think about it or talk to family and friends
• You've been asked to pay for something urgently or in an unusual way – for example by bank transfer or gift vouchers<,/li>
• You’ve been asked to give away personal information

Who people can contact

We are encouraging people to seek advice immediately if they think they’ve been scammed. There’s a number of ways they can do this:

• Contact Clacks CAB (or their local CAB if not resident in Clacks)
• Contact Citizens Advice Scotland’s Scams Action Helpline on 0808 250 5050 or the Web Chat service
• Report scams or suspected scams to Police Scotland (dial 101)

Thank you in advance for your support. If you would like more information on this campaign, or indeed any other area of our work, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely, Jonny Miller Managing Director

At this time of year we experience elements of anti-social behaviour.  Perception appears to be that it is towards the end of term and teenagers are out partying and letting off "steam". Regrettable we seem have to  experienced this behaviour more often this year.  This has led to much concern and disapproval on Dollar social media and directly with Dollar Community Council.

The determine the reach of such behaviour the matter was raised at the recent Joint Community Council Forum where the new Police Area Commander for Clackmannanshire attended.  Chief Inspector Audrey Marsh introduced herself and explained some of the challenges her officers deal with currently, the main item being the pandemic.

The question of Anti-Social Behaviour was raised by Dollar Community Council, with other community councils confirming they also had similar issues.  She advised that they will respond to such issues as best they can but resources can be limited and advised that these matters should be reported on 101.  Through such reporting trends can be identified that can lead to a targeted approach and without reporting local police will not learn the true scale of the issue.

Dollar Community Council asks that members of the community,who are negatively impacted by such behaviour, phone 101 and report the matter. You can also inform DCC through Facebook, Twitter or via the website and community police officers will be informed when they attend DCC meetings.

Stephen Leitch