The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has reported a 7 per cent increase in the number of fraud offences recorded in England and Wales, compared to the previous year.
That’s more than 660,000 reports made to the intelligence bureau. But experts estimate that only 5 to 15 percent of all scams are reported, so the true number of fraud offences is likely to be considerably higher.
June sees national Scams Awareness Month, and Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards is raising awareness of scams, how to spot them, and importantly how to report them so others don’t fall for them.
“Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated,” says Head of Trading Standards, Paul Thomas, “Criminals are coming up with new and quite innovative ways to fool people into giving up their hard cash, personal information or other data.
“Many of us could, and many of us do fall victim to scams. There’s no shame in that because scams can look so credible. And yet we don’t like to talk about it, even though talking about it raises awareness of scams, and is actually one of best ways of preventing these crimes.
Age UK research found that around two-fifths of older people across the UK – around five million people – who believed that they’d fallen victim to scams, didn’t report it to an official channel. Many of them said that they’d not reported it because they felt too embarrassed.
75 is the average age of reported scam victims. Figures from National Trading Standards show that older people are deliberately targeted, and fall victim most to phone and mail scams. The over 70s group sees the largest proportion of people who are recurring victims of scams.
But it’s not just older people. According to Citizens Advice, National Trading Standards, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, there’s evidence that the number of under 25s becoming victim to scams is rising; fuelled possibly by an over-confidence in using new digital technology, making them complacent and increasingly vulnerable.
Meanwhile it’s actually the 40 to 60 age group that are the most affected by scams. That’s in part because that age group is most likely to report scams, but it’s also because of the demographic profile of that group. They tend to be more settled, and have access to financial assets, and their life styles and personal circumstances can sometimes attract fraudsters; dating scams, property scams, or even pension scams.
So what are they? What do they look like; how do I spot one; and what should I do about it?
In short, a scam is a scheme to try to steal money, personal information or data from a person or an organisation. Other names including fraud, hoax, swindle, cheat, or a con.
Paul Thomas, Head of Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards, said:
“Scams and the people who organise them are becoming more sophisticated, so keeping up on the latest plots and schemes is a challenge. But everyone needs to be on the look-out, and to look out for each other by talking to friends or relatives when they suspect a problem, and reporting it to the authorities.
“We have some great information about scams at http://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/rogue-traders-doorstep-crime/scams-doorstep-crime-online-training.”
Some of the most prevalent scams at the moment include:
- Contactless card scams
- Online shopping and auction sites
- Callers or websites claiming to be a Government service, when they’re not
- Pension scams
- Investment scams
- Subscriptions traps or free trial scams
- Computer scams
- Ticket scams
- Council tax re-banding scams
- Advertising scams
- ‘Vishing’, ‘Phishing’, and ‘Smishing’ – phone scams, text message scams and email scams
“Other types of scam do happen. These are just a few of the general types. By knowing what’s about, being aware of it, can help you be alert to them and might help you avoid falling victim.”
There are three things that people can do if they suspect they are the target of a scam.
- Get advice from Citizens Advice consumer service 03454 04 05 06. Look for online consumer advice and information at Citizens Advice Opens in a new window False. To report a problem to Trading Standards, contact the Citizen’s Advice consumer service.
- Report scams and suspected scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, www.actionfraud.police.uk. Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime. If debit cards, online banking or cheques are involved in the scam, your first step should be to contact your bank or credit card company.
- Tell family, friends and neighbours so that they can avoid scams.
People can also cut down on unwanted contacts
Phone calls
Register their number with the Telephone Preference Service at www.tpsonline.org.uk or 0345 070 0707. They can also register their mobile by texting 'TPS' and their email address to 85095.
Report unsolicited marketing calls to the Information Commissioner’s Office – https://ico.org.uk/concerns/marketing, or 0303 123 1113.
Use a product to block telephone calls. Your phone company may have a blocking service or help available to protect people from nuisance calls. Call your company’s customer service helpline to find out.
People who want to report potential scam mail can write to Royal Mail at: Freepost Scam Mail. Phone: 03456 113 413, or email scam.mail@royalmail.com. They can also report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service.
The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is free and may help reduce unsolicited mail - www.mpsonline.org.uk or 0207 291 3310.
To opt out of deliveries from unaddressed mail distributors consumers can register with “Your Choice” preference scheme Direct Marketing Association (UK) Ltd. at yourchoice@dma.org.uk or 020 7291 3300.
News archive
- October 2024 (9)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)