Scams

Email, mail, phone call scams

Every year around 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, research by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) suggests that less than 5% of victims report the scam to the authorities. If you have been the victim of a scam or need further advice, please call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Visit the Think Jessica website to read one victim's true story.

Find details of scams reported to us by Kent residents on our Email, mail & phone scam report page.

Locally reported doorstep scams

Many doorstep scams are reported to us every year. Look out for such these callers in your area. If you have been the victim of any of these scams, or know of someone who has, or if you have specific information about bogus tradesmen or tarmaccers etc. you can contact the Consumer Direct Advice Team on 08454 04 05 06 to report the matter or to ask for advice. You can also report it online using our You can Help link. (Anonymously, if you wish).

Visit our doorstep scam reports page for more information on scams reported to us by Kent residents.

Find out what you can do to avoid being caught and what we are doing to tackle doorstep criminals on our doorstep scam advice page.

Remember, if something sounds to good to be true -
it probably is!