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There are dozens of types of scams circulating at any one time. They offer a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making investment scheme, an unexpected win on a prize draw or lottery, or ask for your bank account details. The scams we see are aimed at businesses as well as consumers. With the increase in popularity of email and text messages, it is now possible to send unsolicited offers to thousands of people quickly and relatively cheaply. If enough offers are sent, even if a tiny fraction of the people reply, then the scammers can make huge sums. The letters, faxes and emails can seem very convincing and look professionally produced, but in our experience, promotions of this kind, however they are distributed, are a dishonest attempt to trap you into parting with your money. Our advice to any consumers or businesses is to steer well clear of any such schemes.
How to spot a scam If you are approached and offered something that seems too good to be true, before you respond, stop and consider:
In our experience, if an offer appears too good to be true - then it probably is!
Examples of scams We have produced pages on the most common schemes we get enquiries about: African
Emails - The Advance Fee Fraud - an offer is received to transfer
non existent funds out of a country, using your bank account. "Phishing" - emails made to look like they are from a bank or credit card company, asking customers to submit personal details to avoid fraud and the de-activation of their account. Premium rate Internet Scams (diallers) - bogus diallers are unwittingly installed on your PC charging you premium rates. Domain Name Registrations - businesses receive an unsolicited registration letter, email, or phone call from an unknown third party, offering to register a domain name, before a rival gets it. Pyramid
schemes - promise you money in return for the number of people you
are able to recruit to pay to join the scheme. Rip-Off Tip-Off
Visit the Rip-Off Tip-Off website
How to deal with doorstep selling Though by no means all doorstep callers are trying to sell scams, we have prepared some advice on how to deal with doorstep sellers. Uninvited sales people are not always welcome callers and can be intimidating to people who live alone. They are often trained to persuade you to buy their products and can use various tactics to get their foot in the door: We have produced
a notice that you can stick on your door, telling doorstep sellers not
to call. Please contact us if you would like
a notice sent to you.
Contacts and Leaflets If you think you have been a victim of a scam, or have spotted a scheme that might be dubious, please contact us to let us know. The Office of Fair
Trading has some good information on scams. You can use the "Rip Off Tip Off" website, where you can find more useful information on the latest scams. More information on scams can be found on the Consumer Direct
How to stop unwanted sales telephone calls, faxes or mail We have produce some advice on how you can reduce unwanted telephone calls, faxes or mail for sales marketing companies. Registering is free and can be done online.
Last updated October
2007 |
