Fraud Awareness Week 2025 – Fighting fraud together

Next week we’re supporting Fraud Awareness Week, as part of our ongoing work to protect residents, local businesses and council services from fraud and scams.

From Monday 17 November to Friday 21 November, we’ll be sharing advice and information on how to spot, prevent and report different types of fraud and scams.

Throughout the week, keep an eye on our Facebook page at facebook.com/BarnsleyCouncil for top tips and guidance. From doorstep scams to scams over the phone, we’ll be sharing the signs to look out for and how you can keep yourself safe.

We’ll also be holding a stall on Friday 21 November at Barnsley Market, where staff from our Corporate Anti-Fraud, Trading Standards, and IT teams will be on hand to chat and offer advice. If you’re in town, come along to speak with our teams about how you can protect yourself and those around you.

Fraud continues to grow in scale, sophistication and variety — targeting everyone from individuals and small businesses to public services. The techniques used by criminals are constantly changing, so it’s important to be aware, vigilant and keep up to date with advice and guidance on the latest scams.

Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Core Services, said: “As a council, Fraud Awareness Week gives us an important chance to reach out, educate and help protect residents, businesses and our own services. Fraud remains a serious crime, that continues to evolve, so we all need to stay alert.

“It’s easy to think that fraud won’t happen to you, but in reality scams can impact everyone in different ways. I encourage everyone to follow the campaign, know the signs to look out for, and join our teams at the market on 21 November if you’d like more advice or guidance.”

If you suspect fraud — whether against yourself, someone you know, or the council — please report it immediately. For more information about fraud and reporting it, please visit the Action Fraud website. For more information about fraud against the council and how to report it, please visit our fraud webpage.