A local charity is holding a free community fraud training event next week, designed to support those who want to learn how to protect themselves against rampant online scams.

Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service (CVS) is hosting the event at Fullbridge Church on Wednesday February 5, from 10am to 12pm, in place of the usual drop-in session.

The Essex Police supported event hopes to teach attendees how to stay safe online and how to spot scams, as well as how to react if you think you've fallen victim to a scam.

Maldon and District CVS Digital Project Officer, Carly Flain, told Nub News: "The presentation will notify people of all the up-to-date scams that are out there at the moment, like courier scams or romance fraud, and make them aware of where to go if something happens and who to contact."

In 2021, Action Fraud saw £2.35bn in reported losses as a result of online fraud, with the highest loss suffered by individuals aged 50-69 years old. 

Attendees at the event will be shown a presentation by Carly and volunteer Brian Rivers, before a discussion answering any questions people may have.

All attendees will leave with a copy of the presentation and a handout containing all the contact numbers they may need to stay safe online in future. 

The charity also holds online skills drop-in sessions in Burnham-on-Crouch on the first and third Monday of the month, and in Fullbridge Church every Wednesday from 10 until 12pm. Those supporting these sessions include Carly and Brian, as well as two more volunteers Lynda Townend and Wendy Knights.

Carly added: "It's really important that people are aware of this service. 

"Things like blue badge applications and housing forms are online now, so those who've not grown up in a digital era sometimes want support with that."

 Maldon and District CVS exists to support communities in the Maldon District, and was set up in response to a community need for voluntary sector infrastructure support.

The charity holds regular 'Walk for Wellbeing' events, as well as a Community Gaming Initiative, Dementia-friendly cinema screenings, social supermarkets, and much more.

This will be the only fraud training event in Maldon, with two more events happening in Witham and Chelmsford in the coming months.

You can keep updated on the charity's activities on their website here or on the Facebook page.