HUNDREDS of people in East Ayrshire are having their names and addresses sold between criminals as targets for scams.

Recent research revealed that there are almost 300,000 potential victims across the UK — with a worrying 9 in 10 people unaware they are being targeted in this way.

Further analysis of the data also shows that people who live by themselves and don’t have much social contact can be vulnerable to doorstep scams or online fraud.

The team at East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have reached week three of their hard-hitting campaign, Scams Awareness Month.

CAB Manager Sarah Hammond said: “All of July we have been spreading the message to local people that they should spot, avoid and report scams. We are now past the halfway mark of the campaign and we have already distributed information to lots of local people.

“Just by raising awareness of scams and making people more vigilant we believe we are saving local people from the misery and hardship that scams can cause. Though our campaign messages are for everyone, this week we are targeting in particular those people who are socially isolated.

“Often, people who are socially isolated are not able to connect to the support or help to prevent this.

We can all help such people by talking about scams and reporting them when they happen, and also by passing on our information to those we think may be vulnerable.

“The one thing scammers don’t want us to do is talk to each other about them and how they operate. They rely on us keeping quiet. So we can all play our part by looking out for ourselves and each other.”

Visit www.cas.org.uk/campaigns/ scamaware, CAB’s office in Townhead Street or drop-in sessions at New Cumnock, Dalmellington, Drongan, Muirkirk and Patna for more details.