How to Recognise a Scam
The Con
How scam artists succeed – they will:-
Catch you unawares, contacting you, without you asking them to, by phone, email,
post or sometimes in person
Sound pleasant, well spoken and kind (on the phone or at your door)
and want you to think they’re your friend
Have slick, professional letters and leaflets
Be persistent and persuasive
Rush you into making a decision
Ask you to send money before you receive their tempting offer or win
New scams from the UK and overseas appear every day – so it’s
important to know how to spot them.
The Pitch
They offer you something for nothing – such as:
You’ve won a prize in a draw or lottery (even though you haven’t entered one)
An exclusive entry to a scheme that’s a surefire way to make money
A way to earn easy money by helping them get untold millions out of their country
The chance to join an investment scheme that will make you huge amounts of money;
and so on
There are hundreds of examples but we can all protect ourselves by being sceptical.
Is it likely that someone you don’t know, who has contacted you out of the blue will
give you something for nothing?
The Sting:
They’ll ask you to:
Send money up front – an administration fee or tax, the list is endless but
it’s always a ruse to get you to give them money
Give them your bank details or other personal details
Ring a premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090)
Buy something to get your prize
They will lie to you and give you what seem to be good reasons why you should do
what they say. They will answer all your objections.
If they ask you to do any of these things they’re trying to cover their
tracks and get your money and it’s likely to be a scam. Don’t send any money or give
personal details to anyone until you’ve checked them out and talked to a professional
or family and friends.
Stop, think and be sceptical.
If you discover a scam tell your friends and family.
If you have been a victim of a scam you should report it to one of the organisations
listed below who can also provide advice.
Your local police station on 0845 1 25 35 45
The Office of Fair Trading - Telephone 0845 7 22 44 99
Financial Services Authority - Telephone 0845 606 1234
Your local Trading Standards Department - Telephone 0845 4 04 05 06
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau - Telephone 01772 822416
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