Jon Trickett

'Beware of Scam Letters and Emails' says MP

Local MP Jon Trickett has been working with constituent Ivy Beckett and Consumer Direct to make sure that people in receipt of scam emails and letters can report them or check if they are legitimate.

According to the Office of Fair Trading, around 3 million people fall victim to scams each year losing roughly (and shockingly), £3 million. These scams can be in the form of telling a person they’ve won a prize; that a wealthy relative they’ve never heard of has left inheritance to them or that they could be helping people in need in another country. Almost all of the scams involve paying out money upfront, giving out bank details or calling very expensive phone lines. They can be very convincing and very persistent.

Consumer Direct is an online and telephone based consumer service that was set up by the Government and is run by the Office of Fair Trading. It has phone lines and has recently launched an online form so that people can easily report scam correspondence.

Jon said:

‘Many people in our area and across the country have fallen prey to unscrupulous individuals who seek to part people from their hard earned money. Some of these emails and letters are very convincing and people need to be extremely vigilant to make sure they are not taken advantage of’

‘There is no excuse for what these people do - it is basically stealing. I am glad that this online system has been set up because any system that helps to track serial scammers, keeps a record of what has happened and is easy for people to access can only be a good thing’

The system means that people who want to make sure others are aware of a scam can easily report it. Enforcement teams can look into it and when other people enquire about the same thing, it will be on file and known to the OFT and Trading Standards.

Concerned Constituent Ivy Beckett, who visited Mr Trickett about the issue, said:

'I was very concerned when I received a number of letters that appeared to be genuine but just looked too good to be true. They were offering fantastic prizes. I got in touch with Jon to see if he could help determine it's authenticity'

'I am sure people could be duped by this kind of letter - I know there are many different types and they all look very real. I'm glad Jon took this on and the new online form for reporting letters like this should help to keep track of what scams are out there too.’

‘Hopefully it will help catch those who send these scam letters and emails and stop them from regularly taking money from people. Many people are simply trusting that what they have received in the Post is ‘genuine’, many of whom can ill afford the extortionate phone calls they need to make to claim the ‘prizes’

Mr Trickett is going to raise the issue in the House of Commons.

Consumer Direct say that is you receive an offer that seems too good to be true, you should ask the following:

·                           Was the offer unsolicited?

·                           Does it look too good to be true?

·                           Do I have to respond ‘at once’ – what’s the rush?

·                           Do I have to make a purchase to win a prize?

·                           Do I have to ring a premium rate telephone number?

·                           Do I have to give them my bank or credit card details?

·                           Do I have to send money to a PO Box number?

·                           Am I asked to keep it confidential?

·                           Can I afford to loose the money?

 

If people think the offer might be genuine, they should contact Consumer Direct to ask their advice – it saves losing money if it turns out to be a scam.

The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays. Alternatively you can contact the service on www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES

Photo attached, Jon Trickett MP meeting with constituent Ivy Beckett.