 February 2010 has been designated national scam awareness month.
During this month Hampshire Trading Standards in conjunction with the Office of Fair Trading are focusing on advising residents how they can be more aware of the huge number of scams out there.
Scammers are being more sophisticated and unfortunately scams in Hampshire are significantly on the increase.
How can you protect yourself?
- Beware of all unsolicited mail, phone-calls or emails – If it looks too good to be true it probably is.
- In particular genuine competitions will never ask you to pay to obtain a prize you are said to have won.
- Anyone responding to a scam mailing risks going on a so-called suckers list and be deluged with mail.
If you have fallen victim to a scam, know someone who has, or you suspect a scam contact Consumer direct on 08454 04 05 06.
You may have recently received a publication through your door called Scambuster from OFT & Trading Standards. It provides a valuable guide to beating the scammers a (pdf) copy is provided here.
For more information on scams and how to recognise them visit: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/
Become a Scam Buster - From 1-26 Feb 2010 - Help beat the scammers.
Please send your scam letters for intelligence purposes free to:
Trading Standards Service
Hampshire County Council
Freepost (SCE 7175)
Winchester SO23 8ZZ
Send scam emails sent to your home or office to sc@mnesty.net
For more information visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty
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