Online fraud resulting from scam advertisements is one of the fastest growing crimes. Many people know this but aren’t sure what to do if they think they’ve been scammed. A new Citizens Advice service is designed to fill the gap.
The aim is to help people wherever they are and whenever is convenient.
CA will provide new online and print information, webchat, and telephone and face-to-face advice. If people need more support they will be referred to their local Citizens Advice for face-to-face advice.
Funding for the new service is from an unexpected source.
Martin Lewis, the MoneySavingExpert, has agreed with Facebook to drop a legal case against them in return for funding of tackling the scam advertising that led to his action. Instead of persisting with his defamation claim, Martin has obtained a £2.5m donation to CA for the service and development of a CA website ‘chatbot’ and a further £0.5 million for anti-scam advertising on Facebook.
Unexpected, but not the first time Martin has supported CA on behalf of the whole community.
He asked us to design the service because of the reputation we’ve built together for helping people find a way forward by providing high quality and impartial advice. Once all elements of the service are up and running, we expect to help over 33,000 people annually.
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