February is Scam Awareness Month

Feb 1, 2010 by admin    2 Comments    Posted under: Miscellaneous

The Office of Fair Trading has declared February “Scam Awareness Month” with the launch of a brand new television advertising campaign and the introduction of “Scamnesty” bins around the country, where you can bin your scam letters for good.

They also want you to report any scam emails you receive, or websites you suspect of being phony.

Visit the “Scamnesty” website

An OFT spokesperson said “Every year an estimated three million UK consumers fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet. One of the main themes of this year’s campaign is to highlight the hidden misery of thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers who repeatedly fall victim to scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draw and sweepstakes, fake psychics and ‘miracle’ health cures.

Anyone can fall for a scam but the elderly are often hit hardest. OFT research shows that older victims are likely to lose nearly twice as much per scam as others. Victims are often socially isolated, over-trusting or afflicted by illnesses such as dementia and can be repeatedly targeted by the scammers. Many lose their life savings and suffer depression and ill health as a result.”

You can download a fantastic leaflet to help your elderly relatives avoid being scammed here

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