Skip to content

Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn - Isle of Anglesey County Council

Anglesey Residents warned against fraudsters

Posted on 20 March 2020

The Isle of Anglesey County Council is asking the islands’ residents to be watchful of fraudsters.

This comes during a critical time when the people of Anglesey have been asked to come together to support one another.

Anglesey’s Trading Standard Manager, Emma Jones said, “It saddens me that we have to share this message. During a time when people are most vulnerable, unfortunately there remains a minority who see it as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable, taking money from individuals for shopping but then not returning.”

“This is a national problem and we’re seeing fraudsters increasingly targeting the public and organisations with emails, texts, phone calls and WhatsApp messages offering advice and treatment for the coronavirus, as well as setting up fake websites selling products and offering ‘cures’. Scammers have been setting up bogus websites asking for donations for victims or promoting awareness and prevention tips. Cold callers have also been contacting organisations suggesting they must have certain measures in place by a certain deadline.”

During this difficult time the authority is asking everyone to be vigilant and protect each other from becoming a victim of fraud and for anyone who is self-isolating to:

  • Try to use only trusted persons (friends, neighbours or family members) wherever possible to help you shop.
  • Do not give pension books or card details to anyone you did not know or trust prior to isolation.
  • Do not allow unknown visitors into your home unless you have a prior arranged appointment and have checked they are not unwell.
  • If you need to ask someone you don’t know well to help get you shopping, get as much detail from them about who they are, where they live, their vehicle details etc, as possible.
  • If you are able to shop online, or place an order with a local shop and pay directly so that it only requires delivery, consider these as options.

Emma Jones added, “We fully the support the people who genuinely want to help their community and I would urge those people to get in touch with Môn Community Link who are co-ordinating an island wide list of community support by calling 01248 725745.”

If you have any concerns that you or a neighbour are being targeted by a fraudster contact Anglesey’s Trading Standards team today on 01248 750057 or email TradingStandards@anglesey.gov.wales.

Updates about Council services during the Coronavirus outbreak can be found on our website www.anglesey.gov.uk/coronavirus

END: 20/03/2020


Posted on 20 March 2020