Consumerline - Scam Alert

Your help is needed in the fight against scammers - 02/02/2009

Trading Standards Service is asking the public to help in the fight back against scammers

Every year, scams such as bogus lotteries and prize draws cost Northern Ireland consumers an estimated £100million.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service (TSS) is today launching its Scams Awareness Month campaign, which runs throughout February, and is asking the public to help in the fight back against the scammers.

While an estimated three million people fall victim to mass marketed scams every year in the UK, research suggests that less than 5% of victims report the scam to the authorities. Scams received by post, email or by telephone, include bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics and miracle health cures. The most susceptible to such scams are the elderly and vulnerable in society.

Trading Standards Service is now calling on the public to help combat the scammers by sending any scam mailings they receive during February to the Trading Standards Service at 176 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast, BT8 6QS. Anyone who receives a large volume of scam mailings can contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 and arrange for them to be collected.

Damien Doherty Trading Standards Service said: “While many people are all too familiar with scammers and their tactics, there are still those, particularly the more vulnerable, who do not have the awareness to be able to defy the tricksters and conmen.

“That is why we are calling on the public to help us beat the scammers by taking part in Scams Awareness Month. The mailings collected will be vital in helping TSS gather intelligence on the latest scams and in stopping the worst offenders from bringing misery to thousands of vulnerable people each year.

“Trading Standards Service is continuing to work with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and other agencies to actively promote awareness of mass marketing scams and help ensure that all consumers in Northern Ireland have the tools and skills they need to recognise, report and combat scams.”

During Scams Awareness Month, TSS will also take roadshows across Northern Ireland to warn the public about scams. The first is at Belfast's Castle Court Shopping Centre on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 February, where TSS officers will be on hand to give advice and provide a free information pack on how to spot a scam.

If you are the victim of a scam, or have information about a suspected scam, tell family and friends and contact Consumerline on tel: 0845 600 6262 or tel: 028 9025 3900 or log on to www.consumerline.org. Consumerline is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's consumer advice helpline.

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