Consumer watchdog calls for April Fool’s Day vigilance all year

CONSUMERS have been warned to turn their April Fool’s Day vigilance into a year-long habit after a survey claimed that one in five people have become the victim of scams and con artists.

New figures revealed by the National Consumer Agency (NCA) show that despite the annual focus on April 1 schemes, a significant number of people are leaving themselves open to manipulation on the other 363 days of the year.

According to a national survey by the group conducted last month, 76% of the population have been targeted by scams, with 18% falling victim to those perpetrating the schemes.