Information Bulletin
16 February 2006
Working together to Stamp Out Scams
The Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service and the Office of Fair Trading are working together to arm consumers with the knowledge and skills they need to recognise, report and stamp out mass-marketed scams.
Early results from a major research project commissioned by the Office of Fair Trading show that nearly half of the UK population (or 20 million consumers over the age of 15) have been targeted by a scam.
The proportion targeted is highest in the middle age ranges: 54% of those aged 35 to 44 and 58% of those aged 45 to 54 have been targeted by a mass-marketed scam in the last two to three years.
The proportion of older people (defined as those aged 65 and over) targeted was 41%.
Working people were more likely to have been targeted than those who were not working.
Nearly one in ten of those targeted in these age groups had actually fallen victim to the scammer, and parted with money.
Colin Brown, the Office of Fair Trading’s Director for Market Transformation, says:
“These results confirm that there is a scam for everyone, not just those whom we would normally consider the most obvious and vulnerable targets. They emphasise that we should all be vigilant, because no matter what your personality type, age or social circumstances, there is a scam marketed for you.”
David Marsh, Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, says:
“Scams are the single biggest reason why people in Shetland contact Trading Standards for advice and assistance. These can be anything from phone calls promising grand prizes and emails offering a share in foreign millions, to doorstep sellers making misleading statements about supporting charities.
Our geographical position does not make us immune from scammers, and we need to work together to protect ourselves and others in our community.”
Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, at the Department for Trade and Industry, says:
“Campaigns like this show how important it is for everyone to know how to spot a scam. They don’t just target the gullible and the greedy – in fact a scam artist can fool anyone.”
The Office of Fair Trading has published a new guide to identifying different scams, the most common marketing methods that scammers use, and the steps consumers can take to protect themselves from either being targeted or falling victim to an approach.
Scambuster: your guide to beating the scammers is available free from the OFT website at www.oft.gov.uk or by calling 0800 389 3159.
Ends.
Notes
The Council’s Trading Standards web pages at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards have information about scams, together with general consumer advice and information and links to other useful websites.
For advice on any consumer issue, either as an individual or on behalf of a business, people in Shetland can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, Citizens Advice on 01595 694696, or Trading Standards on 01595 744800.
The Trading Standards Service is based at the Council’s Grantfield offices, where they can also be contacted by email to trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or fax 01595 695887.
David Marsh, Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, is available for interview if required – please contact trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or call 01595 744800.