Latest news with #AdviceDirectScotland
STV News
20 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Scots warned of ‘scamdemic' as £860,000 lost to cyber criminals in 12 months
Scots have lost more than £860,000 to cyber criminals in the last year as digital scams have increased by more than 1,000% in recent years, according to figures from the national consumer advice service. In what is being dubbed a 'scamdemic' by charity Advice Direct Scotland, the number of such crimes rose from 94 in 2021-22 to 1,119 in 2024-25 – a 1,090% increase. The charity, which runs the website offering advice on avoiding scams, says the reality of the so-called scamdemic is likely to be far worse as the figures do not include cases which go unreported or are reported directly to police. It urged the public to remain vigilant as scammers' methods become more sophisticated. Over the same 2021-22 to 2024-25 period, it said social media scams rose 847%, or from 19 to 180. Email-based scams rose from 24 to 88, while SMS scams dropped by 75%, down from 102 to 25. Phone scams remained at a steady level, with 200 in 2021/22 and 202 this year. The financial impact of scams reported to Advice Direct Scotland reached £861,384 over the past 12 months, with £338,758 lost in the last six months alone. The more common forms of fraud are romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, fake deals sent through phishing emails, and false adverts on social media. The charity says consumers should be wary of high-pressure tactics and unrealistic promises. Scams were previously more easily identified, with poor spelling or grammar being an obvious sign. Criminals are now using AI to create more convincing messages, and according to the charity, some are even creating fake celebrity endorsements to make their schemes seem more authentic. New rules under the Online Safety Act came into force in March which require online platforms to do more to stop user-generated fraud. They must now carry out risk assessments and have effective complaints procedures in place, while large platforms must provide a dedicated way for users to report scams. Hazel Knowles, senior project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'Unfortunately, we know that Scots have lost more than £860,000 to online scams in the past year, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. 'This is a hugely under-reported issue. Many victims are too embarrassed to speak out or do not even realise they have been targeted until it is too late. 'Our latest figures show a clear shift in tactics. Cyber criminals are moving away from basic text scams and using more sophisticated methods across email, social media and interactive platforms that mimic legitimate services with worrying accuracy. 'While SMS scams are in sharp decline, phone scams remain surprisingly resilient. It shows that some old threats persist even as technology evolves. 'It is important to remember there is no shame in being scammed, and anyone who is worried or needs help can contact our specialist advisers for free, impartial and practical advice. 'We are here to help people stay one step ahead of scammers and protect the digital spaces we all rely on.' Advice is available on or by calling 0808 164 6000. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Fraudsters steal almost £1m from Scots in just one year amid 'Scamdemic'
Online fraudsters apply more sophisticated techniques and exploit the growth of digital platforms to dupe victims. Scots have lost nearly £1m to cyber criminals in the last 12 months as experts warn of an emerging "scamdemic". Figures from Advice Direct Scotland said scams have surged tenfold from only 94 in 2021/22 to 1,119 this year - an astonishing rise of 1,090 per cent. The national consumer advice service says the scale of the problem is likely worse than indicated as the figures don't account for unreported cases or those directly reported to police. The charity is now urging the public to remain vigilant as online fraudsters grow in sophistication and exploit digital platforms at an unprecedented scale. Advice Direct Scotland says crooks have been using social media to target individuals, with scams soaring by 847 per cent in the last year - underscoring the vulnerability of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Email-based scams also rose sharply, climbing from 24 to 88 over the same period, while SMS scams plummeted by 75 per cent – down from 102 in 2021/22 to just 25 this year, as criminals switch tactics. Phone scams, meanwhile, remained steady, with 200 reported in 2021/22 and 202 this year. The financial impact of such cons reported to Advice Direct Scotland reached £861,384 over the past 12 months, with £338,758 lost in the past six months alone. Cases included romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, fake deals sent through phishing emails, and false adverts on social media that pressured victims into handing over money, bank details or personal information. It comes after the Record reported on the devastating case of a grandad losing £250,000 to ruthless crooks posing as staff at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Raymond Lumsden, 71, put aside the cash for his family's inheritance but was left penniless after the cruel con in January. The retired businessman, from Edinburgh, fell victim to the scam by approving the transfer of cash to the criminals' account after he responded to a Facebook advert claiming to offer high returns on savings. Hazel Knowles, senior project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'Unfortunately, we know that Scots have lost more than £860,000 to online scams in the past year, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. 'This is a hugely underreported issue. Many victims are too embarrassed to speak out or do not even realise they have been targeted until it is too late. 'Our latest figures show a clear shift in tactics. Cybercriminals are moving away from basic text scams and using more sophisticated methods across email, social media and interactive platforms that mimic legitimate services with worrying accuracy. 'While SMS scams are in sharp decline, phone scams remain surprisingly resilient. It shows that some old threats persist even as technology evolves. 'It is important to remember there is no shame in being scammed, and anyone who is worried or needs help can contact our specialist advisers for free, impartial and practical advice. 'We are here to help people stay one step ahead of scammers and protect the digital spaces we all rely on.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The charity has urged consumers to be wary of unexpected contacts, high-pressure tactics and promises of unrealistically good returns. A professional-looking website or social media post does not guarantee something is legitimate. It warned that previously, one of the main signs of a digital scam was poor spelling or grammar. But now, criminals can use artificial intelligence tools to generate more convincing messages and even create fake celebrity endorsements that appear authentic. Suspected scams can also be reported through the ScamWatch Quick Reporting Tool at
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Energy bill hikes to hit hundreds of thousands of households if they don't act
In a letter to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, warned that many households are still unaware of what will happen if their RTS meter is not replaced Hundreds of thousands of households potentially face major energy bill hikes unless they take action now. According to the latest figures, over 300,000 homes still have Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters. This service charges households with linked electricity meters cheaper rates depending on the time of day. The devices, such as Economy 7 and other multi-rate energy tariffs, pick up the different energy rates through the RTS signal. Some RTS electricity meters can also automatically turn heating and hot water systems on and off during certain hours. However, the signal is set to be shut off from June 30 this year as the technology which produces the signal can no longer be maintained. Homes with these meters need to upgrade to a smart meter before the switch-off, as their meter will no longer function as intended after the deadline Some meters could become disconnected, but depending on when the RTS signal dies, some could also be left jammed on peak-time electricity rates. This could lead to huge bill hikes for households affected by the switch-off. Energy suppliers across the board have warned customers of the upcoming switch off over the last few years with many households being put onto a smart meter. However, Ofgem was forced to step in last year as suppliers had been initially slow at switching people over. Scotland 's national advice service has recently warned of a 'looming crisis' as thousands of homes have still not had the meters replaced, with "vulnerable" households among those at risk of being 'left in the cold'. In a letter to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, warned that many households are still unaware of what will happen if their RTS meter is not replaced. He also called on energy suppliers to identify and prioritise vulnerable customers for meter upgrades. He wrote: 'With less than a month to go until the RTS signal starts being switched off across the country, it is increasingly clear that progress on replacing them has not been fast enough. 'Ofgem needs to urgently clarify if it intends to stick to the June 30 deadline and if a phased approach is being taken, which parts of Scotland will be affected first." Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game. Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities. Ofgem recently released an advert featuring Lorraine Kelly to warn households about the switch-off. In the ads, the Scottish TV presenter urges people to contact their supplier, with the tagline adding: 'Don't delay. The RTS switch-off is on the way.' However, Bartlett also noted that there was a lot of confusion regarding the switch off, as some customers have been told they cannot have their meter replaced until after June 30. He added: 'At a time when thousands of people are struggling with energy debts and the cost of living, nobody should be left out of pocket for replacing their meter either. Sign up to Mirror Money's newsletter for the latest advice and news From universal credit to furlough, employment rights, travel updates and emergency financial aid - we've got all of the big financial stories you need to know about right now. 'Our message to consumers is that if you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced before the deadline if they can.' Although the advertised date is June 30, the process will happen by area from July 1 through to September 30. According to the latest figures from Energy UK, in April, 392,000 households in Great Britain still had RTS meters. Currently, energy suppliers are switching around 1,000 old RTS meters each day. However, to ensure that all the remaining homes with them are covered by the deadline, this number would need to rise to 5,000. A spokesperson for Energy UK recently said: 'It will undoubtedly be challenging to replace all these meters by 30 June,' "It means getting access to every single property to carry out the installation, many of which are in remote areas, and ultimately it requires all customers to respond to contact from their supplier.' "We urge any customers who may have previously struggled to get their RTS meter replaced to please contact their supplier again to arrange an appointment." "Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are scrutinising on an ongoing basis to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the phased switch-off process begins."
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Looming crisis' as 100,000 energy meters STILL being used ahead of RTS switch off in days
AN ENERGY meter warning has been issued to 100,000 customers that they face a huge bill hike if they do not take urgent action. Homes with electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) need to upgrade to a smart meter before June 30 - when the service is being switched off. 1 The switch off will mean that anyone with an RTS meter could find their heating or hot water does not work properly. Some of these meters automatically turn the heating and hot water system on and off at different times during the day. So those who do not switch in time risk permanently running their heating during peak time. This could cause huge bill hikes for those who do not switch before the deadline. More than 100,000 households still have these meters, according to the latest official figures. Scotland's national advice service has warned of a 'looming crisis' over the slow replacement of thousands of ageing energy meters. Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said vulnerable households were among those at risk of being 'left in the cold'. In a letter to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, he warned that many households are still unaware of what will happen if their RTS meter is not replaced. In the letter Mr Bartlett called for energy suppliers to identify and prioritise vulnerable customers for meter upgrades. He also suggested that there should be a fresh public information campaign. He said: 'With less than a month to go until the RTS signal starts being switched off across the country, it is increasingly clear that progress on replacing them has not been fast enough. 'Ofgem needs to urgently clarify if it intends to stick to the June 30 deadline and if a phased approach is being taken, which parts of Scotland will be affected first." He said that there has been a lot of confusion among affected customers. Some have tried to have their RTS meter replaced but have been told that is not possible until after the switch off. He added: 'At a time when thousands of people are struggling with energy debts and the cost of living, nobody should be left out of pocket for replacing their meter either. 'Our message to consumers is that if you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced before the deadline if they can.' In one case, a 69-year-old from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire said she had spent £700 to fix her kitchen after she was forced to install a smart meter ahead of the switch off. Other customers have been told that they cannot get their meter replaced until well after the June 30 deadline. A landlord in Edinburgh said he had been offered an appointment on July 28. Several energy suppliers have also warned customers that they need to act. Octopus Energy warned thousands of its customers of the switch off at the end of January. Meanwhile, Next urged 65,000 customers to take action to avoid being cut off. Plus EDF contacted 60,000 of its customers to warn them of the deadline. Energy regulator Ofgem was forced to step in last year as energy providers were initially slow with the roll out. Currently, suppliers are switching 1,000 RTS meters a day. But in order to meet the target of switching 400,000 homes the figure would need to rise to 5,000 homes a day. Meanwhile, many households do not even realise that they have an RTS meter and need to switch. How to tell if you have an RTS meter It is easy to tell if you have an RTS meter. The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' next to the electric meter. Others may have the RTS switch box within the electric meter as a single box on the wall. One way to tell is if you get cheaper energy at different times of the day. You might be on a tariff called Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control. Another way to tell is if your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters, Energy UK suggests. RTS meters are also often used in areas with no gas supply, for example with high rise flats or houses in rural areas. If your home is in one of these locations then you should check your meter. If you are still unsure then contact your supplier and ask if you have RTS equipment. They should be able to tell you if you do. If you have one of these meters then you should book a smart meter installation as soon as possible. .
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Pensioners with health issues urged to claim new benefit after Attendance Allowance ends in Scotland
Pension Age Disability Payment is only available for older people with a Scottish postcode. Pensioners in Scotland are being urged to contact a charity for help claiming a new disability benefit, only available to people over 66 living north of the border. Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces all new claims for Attendance Allowance. Existing Attendance Allowance claimants will continue to receive payments of up to £441.60 every four-week payment period from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until their award transfers to the devolved IT system before the end of this year. National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland said households should not be concerned by the switch from Attendance Allowance to PADP as there will be no break in payments - now worth either £75.90 or £110.40 each week. However, any changes in circumstances should continue to be reported to DWP until the migration has been completed. The charity, which handles more than 900,000 inquiries a year, can help people of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition, make a new claim for PADP or answer queries on the move from Attendance Allowance. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'This is essentially a rebranding of an existing benefit, in this case, Attendance Allowance. While the name and handling are changing, the support remains the same. 'We understand that these changes can cause concern for some people who fear they may lose out. It's crucial that older people who are disabled, terminally ill, or have care needs continue to receive the financial support necessary to maintain their well-being, safety, and dignity. 'The Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital source of assistance for those with long-term health conditions. With the rising cost of living and increasing bills, it's more important than ever that older people access all available financial aid. 'If you're uncertain about your eligibility or need help with an application, our team at is here to offer free, confidential support.' The Pension Age Disability Payment is available to people of State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. It is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill. It is the 15th benefit now managed by the Scottish Government through Social Security Scotland. Scots can check their eligibility and apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment on the website here. The team can be reached at 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, or through their website at Advice Direct Scotland also provides an online benefits calculator to help people assess their entitlement to both devolved and reserved benefits. You can check for unclaimed benefits or discounts here. Support making a claim from an independent advocate Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits. It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits. If you need an advocate, you should: contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222 ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service Full contact details can be found here.
