Get Real! Say No! to Scams

The Metropolitan Police Service has produced The Little Book of Big Scams, which is full of tips to help you protect yourself against scammers. Download a copy here.

Their website is another useful source of information, which is regularly updated with advice and information about new scams.

The Financial Services Authority has issued a warning to people being targeted by fraudsters.

Their advice is relevant to all of us.

 

Is your computer running slow?  Don’t be taken in by a cold-calling scammer.

Click here to listen to an example of what might be said and here for the findings of a survey of computer users.

Don't get caught out by fraudsters and swindlers who are trying to con you out of your money.

Download the Office of Fair Trading's Scambuster leaflet or How to recognise a scam leaflet, or phone 0800 389 3158 for a copy to be sent to you.

Click here for advice to help you protect your business from becoming a victim of a scam.

The Think Jessica campaign has information and advice about the dangers of scam mail.

Let's work together to get rid of scams!
If you have been caught up in a scam, report it to Action Fraud or Rip-off Tip-off.

The Directgov website has some useful information on scams

 

The Financial Services Authority website has information to help you understand and spot financial scams.

The PhonepayPlus website lets you find out who operates a premium rate line.

OFCOM, the Office of Communications, is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

The BT website has information about rogue diallers and premium rate numbers, and how you can stop unwanted sales or marketing calls.

You are a WINNER!
Every day we are bombarded with messages by post, phone, text and email telling us all we have to do is pick up the phone and call a (premium rate) prize line RIGHT NOW!

Too good to be true? Too right!

Overwhelmed by junk mail, calls and messages?

Every year, over six billion pieces of junk mail are sent in the UK. It's not merely irritating - it's also a way that fraudsters deliver scams.

Telephone calls offering everything from loans to windows, and from holidays to carpets, have become part of a typical evening in at home.

But what can you do?

Read our advice sheet on Direct marketing and how to stop it.

StayPrivate.org provides an free and easy way of opting out of receiving unwanted mail and sales calls by making it simpler to register with various marketing opt-out lists such as those operated by the Direct Marketing Association.
There are lots of different services available which you can use to opt-out of receiving marketing messages. StayPrivate.org aims to bring these services together and will allow you to sign up to all of them without having to fill out the same details over and over again.

Silent Phone Calls
These calls are caused by companies who use automatic-dialling equipment which dial more numbers than there are operators available. If you are bothered by silent calls you can register with the Silent Callguard Service on 0870 4443969.

Registering with the Direct Marketing Association's preference services will help. The Direct Marketing Association will not charge you for registering with the preference services which it operates.

Mailing Preference Service enables consumers to register their wish not to receive unsolicited direct (addressed to an individual) mail.

Baby MPS is a service which enables parents who have suffered a miscarriage or bereavement of a baby in the first weeks of life to register their wish not to receive baby related mailings.

Telephone Preference Service enables consumers to register their telephone numbers in order to not receive unsolicited sales and marketing calls.

Corporate Telephone Preference Service enables businesses to register their telephone numbers in order to not receive unsolicited sales and marketing calls.

E-mail Preference Service is a global service managed by the Direct Marketing Association in the United States which enables you to register your email address so as not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing email messages.

Fax Preference Service enables consumers and businesses to register their home or business fax number not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing faxes.

CPR Global offers what it describes as an active service to stop unsolicited sales and marketing calls. CPR Global will charge you an annual fee if you register for this service.

Opt Out UK offers a range of services and products which may help you to reduce unsolicited calls. Most of these will require you to pay a charge.

To help reduce the amount of unsolicited unaddressed mail and leaflets being posted through your door, you can register to opt out of Royal Mail's Door-to-Door Service.

Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS
Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs
Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
OXFORD
OX1 1RX
optout@royalmail.com

And if you still get unsolicited contacts ...

Go to the Information Commissioner's Office website, click on Complaints and then on Privacy and Electronic Communications, and follow the instructions.