AN Oxfordshire MP has backed a national campaign to help people avoid falling victim to scams.

Banbury and Bicester MP Victoria Prentis is supporting the annual Scams Awareness Fortnight, a campaign led by Citizens Advice in close collaboration with the Consumer Protection Partnership.

It aims to create a network of confident, alert consumers who know what to do when they spot a scam.

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Ms Prentis said: “I am supporting Citizens Advice’s Scams Awareness campaign this fortnight, to highlight the importance of people understanding how to spot scams and stay safe.

“I was shocked to learn that 36 million people in the UK had been targeted by a scammer this year. Citizens Advice figures show that while over-55s are most likely to be targeted, those aged 34 and under are almost five times more likely to fall victim to a scam. It just goes to show that we are all incredibly vulnerable to scams which is why awareness is so very important.

“Criminals are operating in more sophisticated ways than ever. Citizens Advice have found that of all those targeted by a scammer, 54% were about fake deliveries or parcels, 41 per cent were by someone pretending to be from the government, and 12 per cent by someone offering a fake investment.

“It is important that we all remain vigilant and help each other understand what to look out for.”

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