Scams Awareness Month Feb 2012
Mass marketed scams are a problem in the UK. They take the form of bogus and fraudulent offers sent by post, telephone or email.
Fake lottery and prize draw wins, Online Dating, PC Support, bogus psychic predictions, get-rich-quick investment cons and ‘miracle’ health cures are just some of the tricks used by scammers.
Nearly half of the UK adult population has been targeted by a scam. More than three million adults – one in 15 people – fall victim to scams, losing a total of £3.5 billion every year. Scams are often targeted specifically at vulnerable or disadvantaged consumers, such as those already in debt.
Norfolk County Council Trading Standards are holding scams surgeries during February at various locations throughout Norfolk. The surgeries are an opportunity for people to talk to Trading Standards about scams, learn more about how they can protect themselves and others from common scams or drop in to discuss scams they have received.
Top Tips
• If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam!
• Don’t send money upfront because your name will go on a “suckers list” and you’ll be bombarded with more scams.
• Don’t give personal or bank details to anyone unless you’ve checked them out.
• Pass on warnings. Tell your friends and family if you discover a scam.
• Take extra care with documents and paperwork - shred anything with your personal details on it.
• For further advice contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/consumer
• Sign up to Norfolk County Council Trading Standards Scam Alert system at www.norfolk.gov.uk/scams
Scams Surgeries being held:
Norwich and West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau
St Vedast House
5 - 7 St Vedast Street
Norwich NR1 1BT.
Wednesday 1 February 12:00 - 4pm
Co-op Store
Mere Street
Diss
Friday 3 February 9:30 – 11:30
West Norfolk Council Information Centre
Kings Court
Chapel Street
King's Lynn
PE30 1EX
Monday 6 February 10:00 – 12:30pm
Gt Yarmouth Library
Tolhouse Street
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2SH
Thursday 9 February 10:00 – 12:30pm
North Norfolk Information Centre
Louden Road,
Cromer NR27 9EF
Friday 10 February 10:30 – 2:00pm
Roundwell Medical Practice
Longwater Lane
Costessey
Monday 13 February 10:30 – 12:30pm
Loddon Country Market
The Hollies
High Street
Loddon
Tuesday 14 February 9.15 – 10.45am
Co-op Store
High Street
Watton
Wednesday 15 February 9:30 – 11:30am
The Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich NR2 1AW
Saturday 18 February 10:00 – 12:30pm
Hanover Gardens
Cuckoofield Lane
Mulbarton
Monday 20 February 10.30 – 11.30am
Acle Children’s Centre/Library
Bridewell Lane
Acle NR13 3RA
Thursday 23 February 9:30 – 11:30am
Upwell Village Hall
6 New Road
Upwell
Wisbech PE14 9AB
Friday 24 February 2:00 – 4pm
Herbie’s Community Drop In Centre.
The Salvation Army Tolhouse Street Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2SQ
Monday 27 February 9:30 – 11:30am
The Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich NR2 1AW
Tuesday 28 February 10:00 - 2pm
Online Surgery
visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/scams for more information
Tuesday 21 February 12:30 – 4:30pm