Trading Standards officers and Dyfed-Powys Police have become the first in Wales to team up with a national bank to launch a safeguarding scheme aimed at protecting vulnerable people from scams.

Together they have formed a partnership with Barclays to identify potential scams before people fall victim to financial exploitation and part with their cash.

As part of the innovative ‘Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme’ (FESS), Trading Standards offer staff training, regular presence at branches, referrals to adult protection and housing support teams.

They also use an email and text alert intelligence notification system to let customers know about particular scams that they have identified.

The scheme forms part of Carmarthenshire Trading Standards’ broader campaign which includes no cold-calling zones, intelligence-led home visits, and call-blocking.

It is hoped that other banks, financial institutions and support providers will join the scheme in the near future.

Councillor Jim Jones, executive board member for Public Protection, said: “We have worked closely with Barclays in Ammanford and have been successful in identifying several victims of scams and preventing some of our most vulnerable and elderly people from sending tens of thousands of pounds away to bogus lotteries, prize draws and investment scams.

“Due to the success we believe the scheme is going to have a real, measurable and positive impact on the finances, health and wellbeing of many vulnerable people”.

Suzanne Jones, Barclays Ammanford Branch Manager, said: “We are working closely with the police and Trading Standards to try to prevent people being caught by rogue traders and fraudsters.

“We have produced a range of fraud prevention videos and information sheets which can be accessed online, and colleagues in our branches continue to be vigilant.

“We hope this initiative will help to raise awareness of the different kinds of scams in existence and reduce the number of customers falling victim to this distressing crime.”

Chief Inspector Alun Samuel, of the Neighbourhood Development Department of Dyfed-Powys Police, added: “We are delighted to work together with Trading Standards and Barclays to combat the danger of scams – scams usually target vulnerable people but anyone can be a victim.”

“If anyone feels they have been targeted by scams by letter, phone call, computer, text messages, please contact us by calling 101.”