Scam mail targeted in Kidderminster campaign
RESIDENTS are being urged to post any suspected scam mail they receive in a box at Kidderminster Town Hall.
Worcestershire County Council’s Scamnesty 2010 aims to fight back against fraudsters that cost people in the county an estimated £30 million each year.
The county's Trading Standards service is supporting the national campaign, set up by the Office of Fair Trading, which aims to use people power in the battle against the mass marketed scam mailings.
Special scamnesty boxes are being placed at venues around the county, including the Wyre Forest Customer Service Centre at Kidderminster Town Hall, so scam mail can be dropped off.
It is hoped the drop boxes will help the OFT and Trading Standards with inform future investigations.
Last year's campaign revealed that the top five mass-marketed scam mailings were sweepstakes, prize draws, fake clairvoyants or psychics, bogus foreign lotteries and “miracle” health cures.
Derek Prodger, cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: "Scamnesty 2010 is expected to reveal a marked increased in scale and range of mass marketed scam mailings in the UK.
"Every day, people are at risk from unscrupulous fraudsters who want to con them out of their cash. By dropping your scam mailing into your local scamnesty box in Wyre Forest, you will help provide crucial intelligence to support us in stopping scams bringing misery to millions of people every year."
Anyone that thinks they have been a victim of a scam, or suspect a scam, should call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty.
Consumer information is also available on the updated Trading Standards webpages at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/tradingstandards
For more information go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/
Links:
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty/ www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk