CONSUMER Direct is today advising people how to recognise if friends and relatives are falling victim to scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and fake psychic mailings as part of Scams Awareness Month.
Every year, an estimated three million people in the UK fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet, losing an average of £850 each. Although people from all age groups can become victims, research shows that older people are the most likely to be targeted and lose the most money.
Scams can have a devastating effect on people’s lives with many repeat victims losing their life savings and suffering ill health. The knock-on effects can also have a profound impact on victims’ families.
People regularly falling victim to scams may receive a lot of junk mail, have a house full of cheap-looking goods such as jewellery and health products, receive regular phone calls from strangers or become secretive when discussing finances with family and friends.
Michele Shambrook, operations manager for Consumer Direct said: “The scammers are becoming increasingly clever and sophisticated and it’s all too easy to get taken in. If you think a friend or relative may be falling victim, ask questions, offer reassurance and advice, but try not to criticise as this may do more harm than good.”
Throughout February, Consumer Direct and the Office of Fair Trading are running a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of mass market scams.
Information on the most common scams and advice on how to avoid them is available on the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or by calling 08454 04 05 06.
