5 February 2008 - The Office for Fair Trading (OFT) is today launching a nationwide 'Scamnesty' campaign asking the public to help in the fight against scams, which cost the UK an estimated £3.5 billion a year.
As part of 'Scams Awareness Month' the OFT, in partnership with over 50 local authority Trading Standards Services, is asking members of the public to collect any potential scam mailings they have recently received and drop them into designated 'Scamnesty' bins or boxes at local libraries and other public areas across the country. The designated bins are being promoted locally by Trading Standards Services with the theme 'Drop in and drop them in it'.
Every year an estimated three million people fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures. Many of these scams are sent through the post, as well as by email or over the phone, and target the elderly and vulnerable. However, OFT research suggests that less than 5 per cent of victims report the scam to the authorities.
The Scamnesty runs until 27 February 2008. The mailings collected from the 'Scamnesty' bins could provide crucial intelligence to Trading Standards Services and the OFT, help to inform future investigations, and prevent others from being scammed.
Mike Haley, OFT Director of Consumer Protection, said: "We want to empower the public to help beat the scammers by participating in the Scamnesty campaign. Any scam mailings that are dropped in the bins could be vital in gathering intelligence on the latest scams and in stopping the worst offenders from continuing to bring misery to thousands of vulnerable people each year."
Ron Gainsford, TSI Chief Executive, said: "Unfortunately often the first we hear of scam mailings is the horror stories of how people of all ages have received offers of money or prizes and sent off cheques. By asking people to recognise and drop in the scam mailings which they receive, we are helping to provide information about how these scams are evolving and expose scammers' heartless techniques."
Consumers who think they might have been the victim of a scam, or suspect a scam, are advised to call Consumer Direct for clear, practical consumer advice on 08454 04 05 06 or to visit the Consumer Direct website.