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Bexley’s Role in £3.5 Billion Scam
During 2007, Bexley Trading Standards is to continue its policy of giving talks to residents and community groups warning about ever more sophisticated scams being unleashed on the public.
It is also piloting an alert system to notify Neighbourhood Watch of the latest ‘cons’ and scams so that they can spread the word among their co-ordinators.
The need for constant reinforcement of the warnings is made plain by the findings of the latest research published by the Office of Fair Trading showing that UK consumers lose about £3.5 billion to scams every year.
The survey, based on over 11,200 interviews, found that nearly half the UK adult population has been targeted by a scam. Each year in the UK one in 15 people (3,200,000 adults) falls victim to a con trick involving unsolicited mailings, phone calls or emails. The average amount lost each time is £850.
Cllr Gareth Bacon, Bexley Cabinet Member for the Environment, says: “This research, which for the first time sets out the true cost to the victims and to the entire UK economy, clearly validates the work of our Trading Standards team. The cash tricked out of innocent people is the equivalent of about £70 for every adult in the land.
“Our Trading Standards team works hard to tell people how to recognise scams, to warn people of the latest dodges going the rounds and to run a list of trustworthy tradesmen which is shortly to be relaunched with a new website.
“Nearly all scams operate on the basis of offering something for nothing. The best advice is still: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Consumers should stop, think and be sceptical.”
The OFT survey found that more than a million people fell for premium rate prizes scams each year; 480,000 were victims of pyramid or chain letter scams and 380,000 were tricked by prize draw scams.
While older consumers were more likely to be targeted, the largest group of those who fell victim was aged between 35-44 years. Of them 32% said it was because of the legitimate and professional look of the marketing material, 30% said they were caught off guard and 13% admitted it was excitement at the prospect of getting a good deal or winning a prize.
Fewer than 5% of victims reported their experience to the authorities but more than half said they were less likely in future to respond to unsolicited offers or to shop on the internet.
Bexley Trading Standards advises anyone suspecting a scam to call Consumer Direct for clear, practical advice on 08454 04 05 06 before sending off any money, or visit their website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
People who think they have been the victim of a scam can send details to the Office of Fair Trading Scambusters team by email to enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk or by post to the Enquiries Unit, Office of Fair Trading, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8JX.
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