Anglian Water joins Countywide Scams Partnership
Published: 28 January 2020
MEMBERS of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP) have welcomed a new partner, Anglian Water.
CAPASP brings together over 20 local partners, groups and organisations who pool resources, initiatives and ideas to help people protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud and to support those who suffer the misfortune of becoming a victim. Just some of the CAPASP partners include the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Citizens Advice and Age UK.
The Annual Fraud Indicator estimates that scams cost the UK between £5-10 billion each year and last year the local economy of Cambridgeshire lost over £15 million to cybercrime alone. Scams are the product of organised and predatory criminals and CAPASP are working hard to fight these fraudsters.
Anglian Water are the first utility provider to join the partnership and bring a wealth of experience in supporting customers to protect themselves against scams.
Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, Ray Bisby, said:
“It is welcome news that Anglian Water have joined CAPASP to provide an important voice on behalf of utilities customers. Since it was launched last year, CAPASP have welcomed many new organisations to the partnership, demonstrating we have strength in numbers when it comes to stopping scams in Cambridgeshire.
“Anyone regardless of age, gender, education or economic background can find themselves a victim of a scam. I am delighted to be working with Anglian Water and the whole of CAPASP to stamp this scourge out of our county.”
Jane Taylor, Head of Customer Services at Anglian Water, said:
“Unfortunately, reports of scams and bogus callers who are preying on people in the most vulnerable circumstances are becoming more commonplace.
“We want all of our customers to feel safe in their own home which is why we’ve joined the CAPASP initiative so we can share our experience and help customers to spot and report scams before they happen, and so they know what to expect from a genuine Anglian Water employee who may knock on their door.
“Having recently joined the Utilities Against Scams (UAS) initiative led by the National Trading Standards, we’re keen to take our knowledge from different sectors to help support and aid the brilliant work that CAPASP is doing across the county.”
Cllr Steve Criswell, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities and Partnership committee said:
“Our county-wide partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations is committed to working together to stop scams and doorstep crime across the county. We welcome the news that Anglian Water will be bringing their expertise to the partnership, hopefully blazing the trail for other utility providers and customer facing companies to grow the legion of CAPASP partners.”
To report a fraud, or suspected fraud, and share information to help stop others from becoming victims, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.