Friends Against Scams

Friends Against Scams

Protecting Seafarers and Their Families from Scams

 

Contact Details

Organisation: Friends Against Scams

Website: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

Contact Page: https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/contact-us

Managed By: National Trading Standards Scams Team (nationaltradingstandards.uk)

 

Life at sea can create unique challenges when managing finances, communicating with family and accessing services. Long periods away from home can make seafarers and fishers particularly vulnerable to scams, fraud, identity theft and financial exploitation.

Friends Against Scams is a national initiative that helps people recognise scams, understand the warning signs and learn how to protect themselves and others. Through awareness training, practical resources and community engagement, the programme empowers individuals to take action against fraud and become advocates for scam prevention within their own communities.

For seafarers, fishers and their families, this knowledge can be invaluable. Fraudsters often target people who are working away from home, managing finances remotely, or communicating predominantly online. Understanding how scams operate can help protect savings, personal information and overall wellbeing.

What is Friends Against Scams?

Friends Against Scams is a campaign developed by the National Trading Standards Scams Team. The initiative aims to increase awareness of scams, improve understanding of fraud risks and encourage people to share scam-prevention knowledge with others.

The programme provides:

  1. Online awareness training
  2. Community awareness sessions
  3. Resources for individuals and organisations
  4. Scam prevention guidance

Anyone can become a Friend Against Scams and help spread awareness among family members, colleagues and local communities.

Why is Scam Awareness Important for Seafarers?

Modern scams are increasingly sophisticated and often use emails, text messages, social media, telephone calls and fake websites to target victims.

Seafarers may be particularly vulnerable when:

  1. Managing finances from overseas
  2. Using unfamiliar internet connections while at sea
  3. Sending money internationally
  4. Arranging accommodation or travel
  5. Applying for jobs or training opportunities online
  6. Supporting family members from a distance

Criminals frequently exploit urgency, trust and confusion to persuade victims to hand over money or personal information. Learning how to identify these tactics is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Services and Resources Available

Scam Awareness Training

One of the core features of Friends Against Scams is its free awareness training. Participants learn how common scams operate, how to recognise warning signs and what steps to take when they encounter suspicious activity. Training can be completed online or through local awareness sessions.

Practical Scam Prevention Guidance

The website provides guidance on:

  1. Telephone scams
  2. Online scams
  3. Email phishing attacks
  4. Investment scams
  5. Romance scams
  6. Impersonation scams
  7. Delivery and parcel scams
  8. Banking fraud


The guidance helps individuals recognise suspicious behaviour before financial loss occurs.

Support for Communities and Organisations

Resources are available not only for individuals but also for organisations wishing to improve scam awareness among staff, volunteers and service users. This can be particularly useful for maritime welfare organisations, port chaplaincies, welfare centres and community groups supporting seafarers and fishers.

Scam Reporting Signposting

Although Friends Against Scams is not a reporting service itself, it provides guidance on where individuals can obtain help, advice and support if they have been affected by a scam.

Benefits for Seafarers and Families

Using the resources provided by Friends Against Scams can help:

  1. Protect Your Finances: Learning how scams operate can help prevent financial losses and safeguard hard-earned income.
  2. Protect Family Members: Many scams target older relatives, vulnerable adults and people experiencing isolation. The knowledge gained through the programme can help families stay safe together.
  3. Improve Digital Confidence: Understanding online fraud risks can increase confidence when using digital banking, online shopping and electronic communications.
  4. Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Knowing how to identify and respond to suspicious activity can reduce worry and help people feel more secure.
  5. Support the Maritime Community: Sharing scam awareness with colleagues, crews and maritime organisations helps strengthen the safety and resilience of the wider seafaring community.


Who Can Use This Service?

The service is suitable for:

  1. Serving seafarers
  2. Fishers
  3. Cadets and trainees
  4. Maritime veterans
  5. Family members and dependants
  6. Maritime welfare professionals
  7. Volunteers supporting seafarers
  8. Community organisations


When Should You Use Friends Against Scams?

Consider using this resource if:

  1. You have received suspicious emails, texts or telephone calls
  2. You are concerned about online fraud
  3. You want to improve your financial security
  4. A family member may be vulnerable to scams
  5. Your organisation wishes to improve fraud awareness
  6. You want to learn how to support scam victims




Tags: scam; scammed; fraud; cyber crime; identity theft