MANY scams targeting elderly and vulnerable people are going unreported, a meeting in the district has been told.

Keighley Soroptimists heard that some fraud had become so commonplace it was “part of everyday life”.

Speaker Lanson Moore, from West Yorkshire Trading Standards’ Scams and Fraud Education for Residents (Safer) initiative, urged people to help raise awareness.

“She gave us details of the many telephone scams and lots of mail scams around, for example for food and clothing which is overpriced or once paid for does not materialise,” said Soroptimist Arlene Woollard.

“People don’t report these incidents and there is a great lack of awareness of how much this has become part of everyday life.

“Lanson advised us to spread the word and said people should help ensure that all elderly and lonely victims who are being targeted are made aware.

“She also discussed cowboy builders and rogue traders and pointed out that by law, gas engineers must always be on the Gas Safe Register.”

The lottery-funded Safer project raises awareness and empowers elderly residents with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves against rogue traders, scams and frauds.

Since its launch in November 2012, staff have staged more than 300 workshops and delivered partner training to 1,000 people including police officers, PCSOs, wardens and care workers.