One of the largest independent accountancy practices in the area, Whitley Stimpson, is supporting and attending the Friends Against Scams sessions taking place in Oxford this summer.
Run by Oxfordshire Trading Standards as part of a bigger national campaign, Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams.’
Owen Kyffin, director at Whitley Stimpson, says: “We aim to provide a complete service to our clients, both businesses and individuals. We are by no means simply in the business of ‘accounts’; it’s about helping spread the word and support on other issues related to business, such as fraud and scams.”
Friends Against Scams is designed to inspire action, highlighting the scale of the problem, changing the perceptions of why people fall for scams and making scams a community, regional and national topic. They are hosting two Friends Against Scams awareness sessions in Oxford on July 27th at the Unipart Conference Centre. The sessions are 45 minutes long, free to attend, and are suitable for anyone.
Owen continues: “By attending an awareness session, anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim. With increased knowledge and awareness, people and businesses can make scams part of everyday conversation, enabling them to protect themselves and others. We look forward to joining in the dialogue in July at the sessions.”
Last year, Owen Kyffin himself turned “detective” to investigate a cyber-fraud attempt against one of his clients – and was able to save him from a potential scam.
Anybody can join Friends Against Scams and make a difference in their own way. Online learning is available through the website, and the free face-to-face awareness raising sessions are being rolled out nationally.
Owen concludes: “Unfortunately this sort of thing is becoming more common. Cyber thieves are using more advanced methods to con business people. I would suggest that if business people are still in doubt they can always ring their accountant.”
To request a place go online to Friends Against Scams and SCAMchampion sessions https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/session.php?xCmd=find
Further guidance on fraud and scams is available on www.actionfraud.police.uk www.getsafeonline.org or www.cyberstreetwise.com/cyberessentials
Owen Kyffin can be contacted at Whitley Stimpson, which has offices in Banbury, Bicester, Witney and High Wycombe, on 01295 220914 or owenK@whitleystimpson.co.uk