Residents are being urged to keep an eye out for scam letters falling through their letter box this month as part of a nationwide campaign.
The “Scamnesty” campaign by Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading, and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council, encourages people to drop their scam mailings into special “Scamnesty” bins this month.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman said: “We are fully behind this excellent month-long campaign to raise awareness of scams and scam mailings.
“I would encourage anyone who is receiving mailings of this nature to come along and dispose of them in one of the ‘Scamnesty’ bins located throughout the borough.”
Scam letters often take the form of bogus and fraudulent offers of money sent by post, telephone or email.
Fake lottery and prize draw wins, bogus psychic predications, get-rich-quick investment cons and miracle health cures are just some of the tricks used by scammers.
More than three million adults, one in 15 people, fall victim to scams, losing a total of £3.5 billion every year.
“Scamnesty” bins will be placed in the following locations:
- Caerphilly County Borough Council’s main council buildings at Penallta House, Tredomen House, Pontllanfraith House, Hawtin Park.
- Caerphilly, Blackwood, Bargoed, Risca and Rhymney libraries.
- Customer First Centres (except Blackwood).
- CCBC Cash Offices.
Heather Clayton, senior director at the Office of Fair Trading, said: “Scamnesty 2010 promises to reveal a marked increase in scale and range of mass marked scam mailings in the UK.
“Every day, people are at risk of unscrupulous fraudsters who want to con them out of their cash. By dropping your scam mailings in your local Scamnesty bin, you will help provide crucial intelligence to support us in stopping scams bringing misery to millions of people every year.”
- More information can be found through Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty
- A copy of the Office of Fair Trading’s free leaflet ‘Scambuster’ is available from 0800 389 3158, quoting the reference OFT 831PR.