Office of Fair Trading launches Scams Awareness Month 2008
14/08 1 February 2008 Campaign highlights the plight of elderly victims who suffer in silence The OFT today launches its 2008 Scams Awareness Month to raise awareness of mass marketed scams, which cost the UK public £3.5billion a year.
Every year an estimated three million UK consumers fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet. One of the main themes of this year's campaign is to highlight the hidden misery of thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers who repeatedly fall victim to scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draw and sweepstakes, fake psychics and 'miracle' health cures.
Anyone can fall for a scam but the elderly are often hit hardest. OFT research shows that older victims are likely to lose nearly twice as much per scam as others. Victims are often socially isolated, over-trusting or afflicted by illnesses such as dementia and can be repeatedly targeted by the scammers. Many lose their life savings and suffer depression and ill health as a result.
The OFT has today unveiled a new leaflet for carers and care professionals, 'Can you stop the person you care for from being scammed?' and an accompanying leaflet, 'Don't Let them Con You'.
Download Can you stop the person you care for from being scammed? (pdf 532 kb).
Download Don't Let them Con You (pdf 189 kb).The OFT is working with partners such as Carers UK, Help the Aged, Age Concern, Citizens Advice, Action on Elder Abuse, Neighbourhood Watch, housing associations and Local Authority Trading Standards Services to raise awareness of the plight of elderly serial victims of scams and provide advice on how to recognise and help such victims.Mike Haley, OFT Director of Consumer Protection, said:'Scammers use sophisticated psychological techniques to target people who are often the most vulnerable in society. Those who fall for these scams not only lose their savings, but often live in fear, suffering debt and depression and being too afraid to tell anyone of their plight. We want to ask family members, carers and others to help spot the warning signs before it is too late.'Daniel Blake, Policy Development Manager, Action on Elder Abuse, said:'Scammers operate through a ruthless circle of psychological and financial abuse. They gain people's trust and exploit fears, insecurities and pain to steal as much money as they can from those who can least afford it. We are supporting this campaign to empower consumers and their support networks to stamp out scams.'Case studies of those who have fallen victim to scams are available. Please contact the OFT press office for more information or interviews.NOTES 1. Scams Awareness Month is part of an annual international initiative organised by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. The OFT has enlisted the support of local authority Trading Standards Services, Consumer Direct, the Advertising Standards Authority and other consumer and industry bodies.
2. Those who care for older people are being asked to look out for warning signs that the person may be a scam victim: does the person you care for receive a lot of junk mail? Have a house full of cheap-looking goods such as jewellery or health products? Receive frequent calls from strangers? Become secretive when discussing finances with family and friends?
3. The OFT advice to those that receive possible scam offer is: 'Stop, think, and think again'. Do not be rushed into sending off money to someone you do not know. How likely is it that you have been especially chosen for this offer? Millions of people are likely to have received the same offer. Think again - read the mailing carefully. If you are unsure, speak to family or friends and seek advice.
4. If you think you have been the victim of a scam, or you suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct for clear, practical consumer advice on 08454 04 05 06 or see the Consumer Direct website.
5. Scams are an OFT priority. In 2005 the OFT launched a Scambusters team and set up the Scams Enforcement Group with partner organisations focusing on law enforcement, consumer education, and cooperation with private sector businesses to disrupt scammers' routes to market.
SOURCE: officeoffairtrading
--------------------------------
If you have been a victim of scams, please seek help. Or, at least tell someone so that others will not fall into the same trap. YOU have not done anything wrong! The scammers are the ones that should be stopped and thrown in jail.
No comments:
Post a Comment