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ScamsThe silent menace
Phil Thomas
Head of Trading Standards
How many consumers received this scam mail in one month?
Answer
One!
What is a scam?
A scheme to con you out of money
They come in many forms
There are many different approaches
“There’s a scam for everyone”
How big is the problem?
UK consumers lose an estimated £4.8billion to scams every year
The average amount per victim is £850
Almost half the adult population has been targeted by a scam
1 in 15 will fall victim to a scam
In Hampshire
Since April, losses of over £4.5million have been recorded by Trading Standards
The biggest problems are boiler room frauds, land banking scams and fake prize draws or lotteries
Mrs P80 years old
Lives alone with no friends or family
Multiple contracts for double glazing, paying over £600 per month
Regular letters and phone calls from various finance companies
Mr H
Case referred by a financial advisor
Former stockbroker
Sent away over £300,000
What are we doing?
Dedicated preventative and reactive teams
Raise awareness with partner agencies
Visit victims and try to stop them responding
Can you help?
Support
Cause for concern