Dump Your Scams in Scamnesty Month
Portsmouth City Council is backing Scamnesty Month by inviting residents to dump their scam mailings in special bins across the city.
The Scamnesty campaign will be launched in Asda, The Bridge Centre Fratton, on Monday 1 February at 10am and runs until 26th February. Residents will be able to dump scam emails, letters or leaflets and get information and top tips to protect themselves.
There are heartbreaking stories of people who have been scammed and perhaps the most shocking tales are bereaved families at the hands of ‘so-called' psychics.
These scam artists scour obituaries and contact families who have recently lost someone. They claim that they have messages from their loved one and for a sum of money will pass on details. The con then takes on a darker turn when the scam artist alleges the family is cursed and needs protecting. This of course requires more payment. Sadly this scam is all the more effective because families are all the more vulnerable because of grief.
Cllr Jason Fazackerly, Cabinet Member for community safety said: "We've seen many cases in Portsmouth where people have lost huge amounts of money when they were taken in by heartless scammers.
"Around three million people in Britain lose a total of £3.5 billion to scams every year.
"And in tough economic times, where dodgy companies are even more competitive, scams tend to thrive.
"Once you fall for a scam, or even reply to one, you can end up on a list sold to other scammers who will bombard you with similar mail."
Amy Forster, from community trading standards said: "We know of truly heartbreaking tales. People who have lost life savings, triggered because they thought they'd won a competition and a sum was required to release their payment.
"Once you reply to a scam letter your details are sold to a ‘suckers' list and you'll be inundated with scam mail."
The locations of the bins are as follows:
Civic Offices
Central Library
Carnegie Library
North End Library
Cosham Library
Buckland Community Centre
John Pounds Centre
Southsea Community Centre
The Salvation Army Albert Road
Drayton and Farlington Information Centre
Paulsgrove Healthy Living Centre
Havelock Community Centre
Friendship House
You can also send your scam emails, or report a scam to the council's scam 'e-bin' on scams@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Types of scams
Scams can be emails, letters or leaflets. They might:
say you have won a lottery or a prize draw
tell you about an investment scheme promising you quick and easy money
inform you of the latest miracle cure
predict great misfortune unless you respond to the letter and send off money for a lucky pendant
Top tips for beating scams:
Never reply straight away to an offer. Think about it and get at least three quotes before you commit yourself.
Never send money to anyone saying you have won the lottery or a prize draw. You will never see any winnings.
Never give your bank account details or any other personal information to people you don't know.
Never reply to an email asking for your personal and bank details.
Never ring an 090 number unless you know how much the call will cost you. If you are told you have won a luxury holiday, ask yourself if you are prepared to sit through a lengthy sales pitch.
Remember - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The information collected will be used as intelligence by council trading standards officers and the government's Office of Fair Trading.
For more information about Scamnesty (Portsmouth) contact community trading standards officer Amy Forster on 023 9283 4689
For more information go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/
Links:
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/ http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk