February is Scamnesty Month
WILTSHIRE residents are being urged to post potential scam mail into designated collection boxes during February for Scamnesty month.
The initiative, backed by Wiltshire Council’s trading standards team, is part of a nationwide campaign by the Office of Fair Trading to end mass marketing scam mailings, estimated to cost the UK consumer £3.5billion every year.
Between February 1 and 26, people are being asked to ‘drop in to drop them in it’ by using bins in libraries in Salisbury, Amesbury, Tidworth and Wilton.
Christine Wells, from Wiltshire trading standards, said: “We want the public to help us beat the scammers by taking part in Scamnesty and handing in these mailings.
“The letters collected will be vital in helping us gather intelligence on the latest scams and in stopping the worst offenders from continuing to bring misery to thousands of vulnerable people each year.”
Every year, 3.2million adults across the country fall victim to scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures designed to con victims out of their cash.
People who think they have been the victim of a scam, or who suspect a scam, can call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty. During Scamnesty month, people can also report online scams to the ‘virtual bin’ on the Consumer Direct website.
By Corey Ross
Scamnesty month takes place between 1 and 26 February 2010.
During Scamnesty month over a hundred Scamnesty bins will be placed around the country in public places so you can bin those pesky scam letters you have received in the post.
As well as letters and mailers some scammers send emails, text messages or even call you at your home.
For more information go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/
Links:
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/ http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk