It's a message that residents need to understand, with a series of new scams going around at the moment, and impacting some of our local businesses.

A number of local businesses have been shocked in the past few days with scammers taking over their social media pages in one way or another.

Artist Allan McKenzie told the Daily Liberal it 'shook [him] to the core' when he realised his Facebook page had been duplicated and his followers sent a link to a bogus website in his name.

Earlier this month The Gallery Dubbo's Facebook page was also targeted in a social media scam, with owner Georgia Stevens saying she "freaked out" when she learnt the giveaway competition they were running was hit by the dodgy activity.

It's understood another business was also impacted by the same scammers.

As businesses work to recover from the impact the coronavirus has had on them, the last thing they need is for scammers to try and get to their loyal customers and damage their brand.

And while it's something residents are continually warned about, it's sometimes hard to spot real or fake.

While some scams may look like the real thing it's always worth talking to someone you know to find out if it's the real thing, or a scam, especially when things seem too good to be true.

If someone is asking for personal details or a credit card online, especially if they are also saying you have won something, then it's mostly cause to ring a few alarm bells.

And while most people think scams would target consumers, information and independent research conducted suggests that small businesses are most likely to fall victim, with their customers then also the target.

Some scams are so simple and effective, people don't realise they are happening, but they are out there and we must keep an eye out for them.

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