VICTIMS are being asked for their help to expose dangerous scams, which can result in losses of thousands of pounds for locals.

Scams Awareness Month kicked off last Wednesday, aiming to highlight how confidence tricksters continue to flourish because people are not reporting them.

Figures show only five per cent of victims report scams to the authorities.

Trading Standards teams are now encouraging residents to report suspicious activities, get advice if they think they have been conned, and warn others to help stop scams from spreading.

Scams come in many forms, from doorstep double glazing sales to online investment offers.

People may receive telephone calls where a fraudster impersonates their bank to collect their bank details or by bogus companies offering computer services.

Online scams include fake job adverts and offers for goods and services, while mail scams may ask victims to pay a fee in order to collect their winnings from a prize draw they did not enter.

The Scams Awareness Month campaign is asking people to keep the following saying in mind when they receive an unsolicited approach: 'Don't be rushed and don't be hushed.'

Devon and Cornwall Police supported the initiative in a tweet which said: 'Don't respond to unsolicited phone calls or emails.

'Know the signs in case you are targeted by fraudsters.'

Plymouth city councillor Philippa Davey said: 'Scams thrive on silence.

'Fraudsters know that victims are often too ashamed to share what happened to them, meaning that scams can continue to spread unchecked.

'We're urging people to lift the lid on scams and start talking about suspicious email, junk mail, online ads or door-to-door sellers operating in their area.'

As part of Scams Awareness Month a free talk, open to all, is being given by local Trading Standards officers at Plymstock Library on Monday, July 13, at 2pm.

Mrs Davey added: 'Scams are run by professional con artists and it can be very hard to know what to look out for.

'Our advice is that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

'If you're contacted out of the blue be on your guard, and never give your bank details out unless you are certain you know who the person is, and that you can trust them.

'If you think you have been scammed, contact Citizens Advice for help and report it to Trading Standards.'

Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted: ' If you have been scammed, Contact Plymouth Trading Standards on 01752 304147 and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to help stop it happening to others.