AN awareness campaign alerting Derby people to the dangers of scams has been launched.
Derby Citizens' Advice and Law Centre and the city council's trading standards team have come together to promote the scheme.
They have set up a scam information kiosk in the reception area of the Citizens' Advice and Law Centre office at Stuart House, in Green Lane.
They have also produced free information packs and included details about the campaign on the website, www.calcderby.org.
New national figures reveal that more than 22,000 reports of scams were made to Citizens Advice, in England, in the past 12 months.
The true number of reports could be higher because many people do not report the scams if they have been targeted.
The trading standards team received more than 100 inquiries last year.
Scams come in all shapes and sizes, including adverts, visitors to the door, e-mails, letters, phone calls, texts and through the internet.
Sue Holmes, chief executive officer of Citizens Advice and Law Centre, said: "People are seeing their money go down the drain as con artists rip them off by promising lottery wins, work on their home or a new job, only to find there is nothing at the end.
"This month, we are warning people to be on the lookout for rogues looking to make a quick buck at their expense and reminding them that scams are crimes, so it is vital they are reported."
Councillor Asaf Afzal, cabinet member for planning, environmental services and public protection, said: "It is clear that a number of local people are being targeted by a variety of scams.
"In a tough economic climate, some residents may be tempted to respond to these false promises made by these fraudsters.
"I am particularly concerned about the elderly and vulnerable and would ask anyone who has elderly relatives to be extra careful."
