PROTECT the elderly and vulnerable is the message being sent out during Scams Awareness Month.
Older and vulnerable people lose more money to mass marketing scans than any other group of people.
With that in mind, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is asking people in Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire to take care.
The service is offering advice on how to spot a potential scam victim and what can be done to protect them.
During the month residents have sent in hundreds of scam letters and emails they have received.
But there are many warning signs to indicate if someone may have become duped by an offer that is to good to be true.
Victims normally receive lots of junk mail - often hundreds of letters each week. This is because when they respond to scam mail they are placed on special lists that are used by senders.
Many victims will also have houses full of cheap looking jewellery or health products they have been conned into buying.
One of the best ways of preventing scam victims from fall prey to further scams is to reduce the amount of junk mail/scam mail they receive Suggestions to scale back the amount ofmail received include:
• Avoid filling in marketing surveys or questionnaires.
• Have names/addresses removed from directories such as www.192.com.
• Write 'unsolicited mail, please return to sender' on junk mail with a return address and put it back in the post unstamped.
• Register regularly with the Mailing Preference Service (free of charge) visit : www.mpsonline.org.uk/ There is a similar free scheme for unwanted telephone calls called the Telephone Preference Service, visit http://www.tpsonline.org.uk
• When you fill out the annual electoral registration form, choose for details not to be added to the 'Edited Electoral Register'.
Lastly, never respond to a scam email or bogus telephone call.
More information on scams is available on our website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams You can also report a fraud to Action Fraud on: 0300 123 2040 or visit : www.actionfraud.police.uk
The Citizens Advice consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or 0208 1850 710 (English language)
