CONSUMER protection experts will offer advice on how to avoid being ripped off at the beginning of a month dedicated to scam awareness.

Members of Durham County Council’s consumer protection team will be in South Moor, near Stanley tomorrow (July 1) to offer residents advice on how to protect themselves from falling victim to scammers.

They will be at The Haven centre in Park Road between 11.30am and 1pm on the opening day of the national Scams Awareness Month.

Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection, Durham County Council, said: “Scammers are using increasingly more sophisticated techniques to mislead consumers.

“We are pleased to be supporting Scams Awareness Month, which is a really good way of raising awareness of the dangers and arming people with all the information they need to protect themselves from being ripped off.

“As part of the campaign our consumer protection team has distributed material, including posters and postcards, to Customer Access Points, libraries, Books on Wheels and sports centres throughout County Durham.

“We would encourage anyone who is worried that they may have fallen prey to a scammer to come along or contact the Citizens Advice consumer service for help.”