WREXHAM Council are encouraging residents to participate in their 'Take Five Week'.

The #TakeFiveWeek, which is a national campaign to urge individuals to stop and allow sufficient time to prevent getting into a situation where they have been defrauded, was launched on March 9.

Criminals use a wide range of methods to commit frauds and scams, and the campaign highlights that it is important to follow these three steps when deciding whether it is safe to part with money or personal information.

Stop – taking a moment to stop and think before parting with money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge – could it be fake? It is ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic individuals.

Protect – contact your bank immediately if you think you have fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

The council have also stated that when the public are in their own homes, they have a sense of security that criminals may choose to prey upon, and that these criminals can operate at the end of a telephone call, by way of letter through the post, an email to computers, a text to phones, a leaflet through letterboxes, or by a knock at the door.

They have also urged residents to be aware when someone asks for their card details, or for them to sign up to something they do not want or need, to stop and take five.

Their advice is to never agree to anything in your own home without taking time out to consider it first, or speak to a family member or friend, and to use the ‘trust no-one’ approach and question everything.

Remember, legitimate businesses and trusted local traders often do not cold call and they will not ask for cash up front.

For more advice, or to report a concern, contact Wrexham Trading Standards via tradstand@wrexham.gov.uk

Wrexham Trading Standards work in partnership with North Wales Police.

If you want to report something you think is suspicious, you can also contact either Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506 or North Wales Police on 101.