The warning comes during Scams Awareness Month, as Trading Standards Service (TSS) revealed that Northern Ireland consumers lose over £100million every year on bogus lotteries, prize draws, and other scams.
An 80 year-old County Down man became hooked on the European Lottery Guild. He was persuaded to buy more and more tickets to improve his chances. The Guild even sent him a leaflet on “Scams and How to Avoid Them.” Over the last four years he has lost over £70,000.
A 70 year-old Belfast woman received a letter from the World Winners Council telling her that she had won £310,000 in a lottery sweepstake. She was asked to send a payment to “release the prize”. After many persistent phone calls to make further payments, she parted with almost £44,000 from her life savings, receiving nothing in return.
Trading Standards Officer Kerry McAuley said: “Scammers use sophisticated psychological techniques to target people who are often the most vulnerable in society, particularly older people. I would urge family members, carers and others to help spot the warning signs before it is too late.
“Look out for the following signs:
- does the older person receive a lot of junk mail?;
- do they have a lot of cheap-looking goods, such as jewellery or health products, in their home?;
- do they receive frequent calls from strangers?;
- do they become secretive when discussing finances with family or friends?
If so, they could be a scam victim – talk to them and contact Consumerline for advice.”
To highlight the problem, TSS are going on the road with their Scams Awareness Roadshow, starting at the Abbey Centre, Newtownabbey on the 14 and 15 February. The TSS team will be on hand to give advice and guidance on how to avoid being the victim of a scam.
TSS have asked consumers to collect any scam mailings they receive during February and send them in to the Trading Standards Service at 176 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast, BT8 6QS.
If you think you may have been the victim of a scam, report it to Consumerline. The Consumerline team will be happy to advise on any consumer issues - call 0845 600 6262 or log on to the consumer line website
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Notes to Editors:
- Scams Awareness Month is part of an international initiative organised by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. The Office of Fair Trading has enlisted the support of local Trading Standards Services (including DETI’s Trading Standards Service), Consumer Direct, the Advertising Standards Authority and other consumer and industry bodies.
- The key message of the campaign is that as scams have become more sophisticated, new methods are being used to ‘get smart with scammers’, including using new European laws, including the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulations, closer co-operation with authorities, as well as ‘name and shaming’ companies and individuals.
- Recent research commissioned by the Office of Fair Trading involving 11,200 interviews has found that 1,388,000 UK consumers fall victim to prize draw and sweepstake scams, 400,000 to bogus holiday clubs, 330,000 to work at home scams, 200,000 to miracle health scams, 170,000 to clairvoyant and psychic scams and 110,000 to loan scams. A copy of the research is available at the Office of Fair Trading website.
- Earlier this month, Trading Standards asked consumers to collect any scam mailings they receive during February and send them in to the Trading Standards Service at 176 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast, BT8 6QS.
- For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297.
- Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
