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