Hertfordshire Constabulary is offering residents a free fraud and cybercrime advice session at Stevenage Central Library this month.

The event, organised and delivered by specialist Cyber Protect officers from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, is scheduled for Monday 12 May and will run between 11am and 3pm. These sessions are free and provide practical tips for avoiding the most common types of fraud and cybercrime. Free tea and biscuits are also provided.

The fraud and cyber team will be doing a talk and will be joined by officers from the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Trading Standards and Fraud teams to answer questions and provide crime prevention advice throughout the event. The Herts Beacon Victim Care Fraud Hub team will also deliver a presentation.   

• 11:00-12:00 - Cybercrime & Fraud Prevention - Hertfordshire Constabulary
• 12:15-1:15 - Rogue Traders & Scams – HCC Trading Standards
• 1:15-1:30 - Fraud against the Council - HCC Fraud Team
• 1:45-2:45 - Scams & Victim Support - Beacon Victim Care Hub 

 The session is part of a series of events that the team are running around the county. Further details on this event and future ones can be found at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Detective Inspector Katy Jackson, from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: "Fraud and cybercrime are a constant threat, which has been increasing across the country over recent years. Criminals often prey on the elderly and vulnerable, many of whom prefer to talk to crime prevention experts in person, rather than accessing advice online.

"These sessions are completely free, so please come along during the times advertised. Our experts will be able to give you practical crime prevention advice, to help you avoid common scams and recognise new ones."

For more tips on avoiding fraud visit: www.actionfraud.police.uk or www.herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud.

If you believe that you are a victim of fraud or cybercrime please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report. If a crime is in progress or someone's life is in danger, call 999 immediately.