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Scam awareness month
28 January 2008
February is Scams Awareness month and Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team have plenty of good advice for people wanting to avoid being conned.
Trading standards warn that bogus letters, faxes and emails are becoming more and more convincing and look professionally produced.
They will often ask for financial details or personal information and can appear to come from well known companies or even high street banks.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Clive Moesby said: “There are lots of scams circulating at any one time and they are getting more and more sophisticated.
“They may offer the chance to invest in an exciting new money-making investment scheme, an unexpected win on a prize draw or lottery, or ask for your bank account details and can be aimed at businesses as well as consumers.”
“Scams Awareness month is an ideal time to focus peoples’ attention on this growing problem and provide them with effective and easy ways to avoid falling victim to a scam.”
Trading standards staff are encouraging residents to consider the following questions when they receive an offer that seems too good to be true:
Was the offer unsolicited?
How can I have won a competition that I haven't entered?
Did the offer come from overseas?
Do I have to respond at once, so as not to "miss out" - what's the rush?
Do I have to make a purchase or send money to win a prize?
Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?
Am I asked to keep it confidential?
Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a scam can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (opens in a new window)
REF:CM:30:08
February is Scams Awareness month and Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team have plenty of good advice for people wanting to avoid being conned.
Trading standards warn that bogus letters, faxes and emails are becoming more and more convincing and look professionally produced.
They will often ask for financial details or personal information and can appear to come from well known companies or even high street banks.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Clive Moesby said: “There are lots of scams circulating at any one time and they are getting more and more sophisticated.
“They may offer the chance to invest in an exciting new money-making investment scheme, an unexpected win on a prize draw or lottery, or ask for your bank account details and can be aimed at businesses as well as consumers.”
“Scams Awareness month is an ideal time to focus peoples’ attention on this growing problem and provide them with effective and easy ways to avoid falling victim to a scam.”
Trading standards staff are encouraging residents to consider the following questions when they receive an offer that seems too good to be true:
Was the offer unsolicited?
How can I have won a competition that I haven't entered?
Did the offer come from overseas?
Do I have to respond at once, so as not to "miss out" - what's the rush?
Do I have to make a purchase or send money to win a prize?
Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?
Am I asked to keep it confidential?
Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a scam can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (opens in a new window)
REF:CM:30:08
