National award for scams awareness project

A project to help vulnerable people in Cheshire East evade fraudsters and scams has been recognised with a national award.

The Older People Scams Awareness and Aftercare Project, a partnership between Cheshire East Council and Age UK and funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund, raises scams awareness with over 50s in the borough and supports older victims of fraud to get back on their feet. 

The project’s monthly scams awareness bulletin now reaches over 6,000 residents, and has been recognised for its positive impact with a Charted Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Brian Smith Individual Heroes Award.

Project manager Sally Wilson commented:

We are delighted that the project’s success over the past 18 months has been recognised. We receive the award on behalf of the hard-working teams at Age UK Cheshire East and the borough’s trading standards service, especially our scams awareness champions, who volunteer to raise awareness in their communities. 

“This award is also to recognise the bravery of scam victims we have worked with in coming forward for support, so they can get back on their feet and be a valued member of their community.”

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“I warmly congratulate our trading standards service and the scams awareness and aftercare project team on this deserved award for the excellent and important work they undertake to protect our older residents from unscrupulous scammers, who seek to take advantage of their vulnerability, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is hard to believe there are people who will prey on our elderly and vulnerable residents during this challenging time but, very sadly, the number of reports from victims shows that it is all-too-often the case. 

“Protecting our older people from this kind of criminal activity is vital and I wish to thank Age UK Cheshire East for the work that they are doing with our trading standards team. Well done all.”