Get Real! Say No! to Scams

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.

Let's work together to get rid of scams!

If you have been caught up in a scam,
report it to Consumer Direct or Rip-off Tip-off or email scams@oft.gsi.gov.uk

 

The Consumer Direct website has some useful information on scams.

 

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

 

Internet dialling scams

	Internet dialling scams are causing trouble and expense for many people. However, there are things you can do to protect your computer. Install firewall, anti-virus and anti-pop up software, and regularly update it. Check your dial-up settings regularly. Contact your telephone company for details of premium rate call barring. If you use broadband to connect to the internet, make sure the internal dial-up modem from your phone socket has been disconnected.
	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 Trading Standards Institute's website has useful information about how you can block calls from your telephone to premium rate numbers.
	The BT website has information about rogue diallers and premium rate numbers, and how you can block premium rate 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?

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.

	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.
	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.
	Fax Preference Service enables consumers and businesses to register their home or business fax number not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing faxes.
	Read our advice sheet on Direct marketing and how to stop it.

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 follow the instructions.