Information Bulletin
9 February 2005
Get Savvy, Don't get Conned
Consumer Education Key to Stopping Scams, says the Office of Fair Trading and Shetland Islands Council
Shetland Islands Council's Trading Standards Service welcomes a new Office of Fair Trading campaign launched today. Helping consumers to spot tomorrow's scams is the key to stopping fraudsters earning millions, says the OFT.
The OFT has joined forces with Trading Standards Services, Citizens' Advice, the police, charities and neighbourhood watch schemes across the country in a month-long campaign to educate the public on mass-marketed scams received via email, post or telephone calls.
Over half a million leaflets and posters containing advice on how to recognise and guard against scams will be distributed through libraries, community groups, police stations and door-to-door. The campaign is run in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Most scams have common elements, designed to hook victims. Organised criminal gangs, using highly sophisticated techniques, are often behind the scams. The OFT campaign identifies the elements shared by a variety of scams, whether fake lotteries and prize draws, pyramid or investment schemes.
Penny Boys, OFT Executive Director, said: "Last week we named the top ten scams targeted at UK consumers - but next year, there will be new frauds and swindles to part people from their money. Our campaign aims to equip consumers with the skills and knowledge to recognise scams, whatever their form, and so prevent themselves and others from falling victim to persuasive and manipulative approaches."
Gerry Sutcliffe, DTI Consumer Minister, said: "Too many people are ripped off by scams, losing money and unintentionally lining the pockets of these crooks. I am delighted to support the OFT's campaign to highlight the problem of scams and how consumers can avoid becoming victims. I also have a warning for those running or thinking of running scams - the DTI is committed to working closely with enforcement agencies to put a stop to this activity, and bring the full force of law to bear."
Scam operators will:
• catch you unawares by making unsolicited contact with you by email, telephone or post - lists of individuals' names and addresses are easily bought and sold, and your details may well be on one of them;
• offer you tempting and apparently easy opportunities to make money;
• ask for money up front to claim your prize to cover administration fees or taxes - no legitimate competition does this;
• ask for your bank details, or to ring a premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090);
• insinuate that you have to buy something in order to get your prize.
The OFT advises consumers:
• be sceptical;
• don't send money or give out personal details to anyone until you've checked them out;
• contact Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06), Trading Standards, Citizen's Advice, the police or the OFT for advice.
David Marsh, Trading Standards Service Manager for Shetland Islands Council, said: "Scams of these sorts are the most common single reason why people in Shetland contact Trading Standards for consumer advice. We fully support this campaign to help consumers recognise scams and avoid their hard-earned cash ending up in the hands of swindlers and fraudsters."
NOTES
The OFT launched its scam awareness campaign on 1 February (PN 18/05). The campaign is part of an international consumer education initiative, co-ordinated through law-enforcement agencies in over 30 member countries of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (PN 13 05). The OFT currently holds the presidency of ICPEN.
Copies of the leaflet How to recognise a scam: is it too good to be true? are available from the OFT website www.oft.gov.uk or by calling 0800 389 3158.
The Council's Trading Standards web pages at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards have information about scams and links to other useful websites.
The Trading Standards Service can be contacted at the Council's Grantfield offices - email trading.standards@sic.shetland.gov.uk , phone 01595 744800 or fax 01595 695887.
David Marsh, Shetland Islands Council's Trading Standards Service Manager, is available for interview if required - please contact trading.standards@sic.shetland.gov.uk or call 01595 744800.