Warwickshire News Mine

If you have, Warwickshire Trading Standards Service would like to hear from you.

February is national Scams Awareness Month and Warwickshire Trading Standards Service would like members of the public and business to forward any potential scam letters/mailings they have received and any phishing emails and information on potential scam telephone calls. 

Working in partnership with the Office of Fair Trading the aim of Scamnesty is to raise awareness of the many scams that are targeted at people of all ages and backgrounds. This information will be recorded and used to investigate the scale of the problem both in Warwickshire and across the country.

The OFT estimate that £3.5 billion is lost from the economy to scams and in this tough economic climate these criminals are becoming more sophisticated in the ways in which they obtain information, personal details and money from people. Victims can be targeted in a number of ways; telephone, letter, email or classified adverts – and be aware, everyone and anyone is the potential victim of these scammers.

Common Scams include:
Foreign Lottery Winning Notification Mailings
Prize Draw Mailings
Phishing emails from bogus banks, building societies, tax, office etc
Miracle Cure Mailings
Psychic Mailings
Mock Business Advertising Telephone Calls

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “Anyone can be hit on by these criminals, but elderly and vulnerable people are often more susceptible. Scams Awareness Month is the ideal time to talk to your elderly friends and relatives about being scammed and warn them about the dangers.”

During “Scamnesty Month” in 2009, Warwickshire Trading Standards Service received over 150 scam letters and emails from concerned residents and business. This information was reported to the OFT who have recently issued High Court proceedings against the companies & individuals behind 5 UK prize draw promotions.  The proceedings aim to prevent mailings and the distribution of scratch cards which, the OFT consider are misleading.
       
Avoid being Scammed – 5 rules:

Never send money to anyone who says you’ve won a prize or the lottery
Never give out your bank account details or other personal information to people you do not know.
Never feel pressured to respond immediately
Never send money in response to bogus psychic mailings.
If something sounds too good to be true it probably is!

Scamnesty 2010

Please send your information to:

Send your information to:
Scamnesty
Warwickshire County Council
Trading Standards Service
FREEPOST
Old Budbrooke Road
CV35 7DP

Email: tsnews@warwickshire.gov.uk

Further information can be found on our website:
http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards  or contact
Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06.

Link to WCC