To mark National Scams Awareness Month, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team is issuing advice to local people on how to avoid becoming victims of fraudsters.
Scams include claiming to sell goods that don’t really exist, fake lottery wins, offering a share of a pretend inheritance, bogus charity scams, promises of romance and share sale fraud.
Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “These people use a range of tactics to deceive people but no matter what their method, their intention is to steal money.
“I would advise people to be careful and to take on board the advice from our Trading Standards team.”
During July, the Trading Standards team has visited Age UK B&NES groups in Midsomer Norton and Bath to give advice to older people about avoiding scams, and more visits are planned later in the year.
Janet Dabbs, chief executive of Age UK B&NES, said: “Older people are often the target of these fraudsters so it’s been really useful to have Trading Standards officers from the Council to come along and talk to our groups.
“This type of crime can have a lasting impact on older people; many feel ashamed that they have been taken in – it can destroy their confidence and really affect their health and wellbeing.
“It’s so important that we work together to try to tackle it.”
The National Trading Standards Scams Team sorts through thousands of mail items from people who have sent money / cheques in to fake lotteries, prize draws or special offers.
Where possible, the team can recover this money and this is returned to local Trading Standards teams.
This month Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team has also visited a number of people to return their cash or cheques, usually totalling between £5 and £30.
By making a personal visit, they can offer advice on how to avoid such scams in future.
Advice from Trading Standards includes:
It could be a scam if:
- They are asking for money in advance;
- The call, letter, e-mail or text has come out of the blue;
- Telling the consumer they have to respond quickly so they don’t have time to talk about it with friends and family;
- Telling the consumer to keep it a secret;
- ‘Miracle’ health cures.
Types of scams include:
- Lottery and prize draw scams;
- Clairvoyant scams;
- Catalogue and Brochure scams;
- Computer Software Service Fraud involves victims being contacted by telephone and told that there is a problem with their computer and for a fee this can be fixed.
Solutions:
- Speak to family or friends;
- Sign up to mail and telephone preference service.
- If you think you’ve already responded to a scam, end all further communication immediately.
- Call your bank and cancel any recurring payments.
- Speak with Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 04 05 06 (Trading Standards will also be referred a copy of the complaint)
- Report the scam to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040
You can find out more at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/trading-standards and you can also follow Trading Standards on twitter @BathnesTS.