July is Scam Awareness Month, and Pembrokeshire County Council’s trading standards officers will be visiting locations all around the county offering advice on how to avoid scams - and what to do if you think you have been the victim of a scam.

The national awareness month aims to get more people to talk about scams, and to report them so that the authorities can chase down fraudsters.

Scammers can strike at any time, from cold-calling people with a fake investment opportunity to posting online adverts for products which don’t exist.

“We can all be victims of scams, whether it is by telephone, internet or a knock at the door. How to identify such criminal activity is of concern and hopefully it will help by raising awareness at these locations.” said Clr. Pat Davies, cabinet member for regulatory services and housing.

“I hope as many Pembrokeshire residents as possible will attend these sessions and through discussions gain good advice.”

Trading standards officers in Pembrokeshire will be visiting the following locations: July 3 - Pembroke Dock Argyle Street: 9 am to 12 noon (with colleagues from Citizens Advice); July 5 - County Hall, North Wing: 9 am to 12 noon (with colleagues from Citizens Advice); July 10 - Neyland Library:  9 am to 12 noon; July 11 - Narberth Library: 3-5 pm; July 18 - St. Davids Library: 10am to 12 noon; July 20 - Fishguard Town Hall: 9 am to 12 noon; July 24 - Saundersfoot Library : 2-4 pm; July 26 - Milford Haven Town Hall: 9 am to 12 noon; July 28 - Pembroke Library: 10 am to 12 noon.    

Officers will also be at Barclays Bank on the following dates: July 3 - Pembroke branch 2-4 pm; July 7 - Fishguard branch 1-3 pm; July 10 - Milford Haven branch 2-4 pm; July 14 - Haverfordwest branch 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

If you’re unable to go to the events and would like some advice on scams, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 040506.