East Sussex Against Scams Partnership (ESASP)

East Sussex Against Scams Partnership (ESASP) 

The East Sussex Against Scams Partnership (ESASP) is a county-wide project helping to protect residents against scams  and fraud by raising awareness with them about the different types of scams. It is a partnership of organisations - businesses, charities, church groups, clubs, community enterprises, councils, societies, voluntary groups and other partners - all committed to taking a stand against scams with the aim of making East Sussex a scam-free county. Please "sign up" too!

 We currently have 105 ESASP Charter Partners.

Scams are fraud and fraud is a crime.  We should report them to Action Fraud, not ignore them. Each year scams cost the UK economy between £5bn-£10bn. In addition to the financial impact, scams can have a severe emotional and psychological impact upon victims. Anyone can be a victim irrespective of age, gender, education or economic background. 

Being a victim of this crime can have devastating impacts upon people. These crimes are targeted at people in our communities who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including poverty, isolation, frailty, cognitive impairment, and because they are specifically targeted by organised predatory criminals. 

The Partnership will: 

(1) Help raise awareness about scams so people realise scams are fraud and fraud is a crime;

(2) Help prevent people from becoming victims by giving them the knowledge and information about what to look out for; and 

(3) Find improved ways of identifying and recording scams via Action Fraud so there is a clearer understanding of the true scale and impact of scams upon our residents. 

Partners are asked to "sign up" to a Charter, pledging their support by committing to undertake actions, all of which will help take a stand against scams. Examples could include:

• Displaying posters (see example below) and / or literature;

• Sharing scams-related key messages via social media channels;

• Running Friends Against Scams awareness raising sessions for staff, family and friends, members and volunteers.  For further details, visit www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk). 

Please note: these sessions are complementary to East Sussex County Council safeguarding awareness and training procedures which should always be followed. If unclear about any aspects of safeguarding in relation to these sessions, please contact Health and Social Care Connect on telephone no.  0345 60 80 191 to discuss.

Through these actions, Charter partners will help protect their customers, staff, members, volunteers, the general public, neighbours, friends and family from being targeted by criminals; it will help them meet their corporate social responsibilities; and there may be opportunities for networking with other like-minded organisations.

Click on the following for information:

If you would be interested in signing up to the Charter, please ring the Safer East Sussex Team on 01323 466549.

A Scams Resource Pack has been developed, containing useful information and websites where you can find out more about scams.

Useful Contacts

For support and advice on scams (e.g. rogue traders, romance scams, scam mail, telephone calls, text messages, emails), call Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444

If you are concerned about financial abuse speak to Health and Social Care Connect on 0345 60 80 191

For a non-emergency response (if you have been a victim of fraud / scam), call Sussex Police on 101.

If you have been affected by crime, get emotional and practical help from Victim Support on 0808 168 9274

To report a fraud, or suspected fraud, and share information to help stop others from becoming victims , call Action Fraud 0300 123 2040

 

Members of the Safer Communities Partnership