OU / BBC content to watch during this year’s Scam Safe Week

Posted on 25 November 2024 • Science, maths, computing and technology, TV and radio

Following the success of last year’s inaugural initiative, BBC Scam Safe week is back. Starting on 23 November, Scam Safe week features content from across the BBC including co-productions with The Open University (OU).

With scammers growing bolder amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, experts aim to provide a timely piece of public service into the rising fraud industry.

Scam Interceptors

The 2024 TV-BAFTA winning series Scam Interceptors will release its latest run of episodes, hosted by Rav Wilding and Nick Stapleton, who will join ethical hacker Jim Browning to hold unscrupulous scammers to account from Scam Interceptors HQ in Glasgow.

These brand-new episodes, produced in partnership with the OU, will showcase the team’s sophisticated strategies to intercept scam calls. And if they can’t reach the victim by phone, the Ground Interceptor team are on hand ready to drive direct to their homes to stop the scam in person.

Scam Interceptors will air weekdays at 2pm on BBC One during Scam Safe Week from 23 November, with the series launching on Monday 18 November and available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Dr Ian M. Kennedy, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security at the OU and academic consultant on Scam Interceptors, said:

“Scam Interceptors is a powerful and timely exposé of the growing menace of online scams. It deploys a compelling blend of investigative journalism with real-time intervention and not only educates viewers about the sophisticated tactics used by fraudsters but also demonstrates the tangible impact of stopping scams in progress. The style of delivery thrusts the viewer into the drama, as it highlights real-life victims that could be any one of us while equipping audiences with actionable advice to safeguard their finances and personal data.

“As one of the consultants of the series, it has been rewarding to bring to bear my background in cybercrime investigation to shape the output of what is produced as the final product. The series is an effective tool for raising awareness, empowering viewers, and promoting digital literacy in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.”

Morning Live

BBC’s Morning Live programme will have a full schedule of scam-related content, including short films featuring on-screen expertise from OU academics, Dr Dhouha Kbaier, Dr Jan Collie and Dr Ian Kenny.

New for 2024 and held in venues from Cardiff to Cumbria, The Scam Safe Roadshow is a collaboration between Morning Live and BBC Local radio aiming to provide answers to audience members’ questions about scams they’ve seen or been caught out by. They will also deliver advice on how to avoid being scammed. On Black Friday, 29 November, the roadshow will be coming live from Manchester, and Morning Live will focus on purchasing scams.

Morning Live Scam Safe content will run throughout the week from 9.30am to 10.45am on BBC One and iPlayer from Tuesday 26 November.

Dr Dhouha Kbaier, Senior Lecturer in Computing & Communications, who also worked as an academic consultant on Scam Interceptors, commented on the importance of scam awareness:

“Scam Safe Week is a vital initiative to raise awareness about the increasing sophistication of scams and equip individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones. This initiative is crucial not only for public awareness but also for our students, as it directly ties into preparing them for careers in cybersecurity and related fields.”

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can find expert advice on how to stay scam safe. (NB: this site may not be live or complete prior to broadcast)

Further information

This content was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with particular relevance to R60 BSc (Hons) Cyber Security, Q62 BSc (Hons) Computing and IT and F87 MSc in Cyber Security

Scam Interceptors

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships
• Academic Consultants: Dr Dhouha Kbaier and Dr Ian M. Kennedy
• Media Fellow: Dr Andrew Potter
• Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson
• Supporting Online Content: Matthew Ray

Morning Live

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships
• Academic Consultants: Dr Dhouha Kbaier, Dr Jan Collie and Dr Ian Kenny
• Media Fellow: Dr Andrew Potter
• Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson
• Supporting Online Content: Matthew Ray, Patrick Kearney, Xinmiao Zhang and Steff Easom