Rural and Online Crime

Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping continues to be the leading crime impacting farming communities during COVD-19. If you are a victim of fly-tipping, please log your case through the Dumb Dumpers in the first instance.  Dumb Dumpers can be accessed here.

You can also contact your Local Authority to report the crime, too.

Instances which are reported to Police Scotland should be given an incident number and you may be advised to report the situation through Dumb Dumpers or to the Local Authority, depending on the situation.

If you discover a crime in progress, you should use 999 emergency number.

COVID-19 Related Cyber and Telephone Scams

How can I keep up to date with the latest scams?

Trading Standards Scotland provide an overview of scams which are impacting Scottish consumers. More information from Trading Standards Scotland is available here.

How can I keep up to date about cybercrime?

Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 related scams, the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit has developed a bulletin to update businesses with important cyber security information from trusted sources, including: Trading Standards Scotland, Police Scotland and the National Cyber Security Centre, Police Scotland. You can access the cybercrime resilience notices here.

Where can I get more information?

• Information about how to improve your online security and updates about scams from the National Cyber Security Centre, here
• UK Government Guidance about internet scams and phishing, including HMRC phishing scams, available here
• Scottish Government Cyber Resilience COVID-19 Bulletin, sign up here
• Guidance from Police Scotland regarding fraud is available here
• If you have been affected by any scams, you can contact Advice Direct Scotland for advice and support here
• Keep up-to-date with community crime alerts and advice from Rural Watch here.