Menu
05/02/2008
Scam Scam, and More Scam As NI Loses Millions
Over £100 million is lost in Northern Ireland every year from scams, according to government research.
Every year, thousands of bargain hungry consumers fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.
Scamming has become a sophisticated practice of late, and a multi-million pound business.
The Office of Fair Trading estimates 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.
Many of these scams are sent through the post, as well as by e-mail, text, and over the phone. The research suggests that fewer than 5% of victims report being caught out by a scam to the authorities due to the embarrassment of falling foul of a fraud.
February is Scams Awareness Month for 2008 and Trading Standards Service (TSS) has launched a campaign to help consumers by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to recognise, report and combat scams.
As part of Scams Awareness Month, TSS are asking 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.
Trading Standards Officer Kevin McNamara said: “The people who run these scams are clever, sophisticated and well versed in the ways of getting us to part with our money. There’s a scam out there for everyone.
"If you let your guard down and think you won’t be fooled, then you too could become a victim. If you discover a scam or suspect a scam, tell friends and family and contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.”
(DW)
Every year, thousands of bargain hungry consumers fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.
Scamming has become a sophisticated practice of late, and a multi-million pound business.
The Office of Fair Trading estimates 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.
Many of these scams are sent through the post, as well as by e-mail, text, and over the phone. The research suggests that fewer than 5% of victims report being caught out by a scam to the authorities due to the embarrassment of falling foul of a fraud.
February is Scams Awareness Month for 2008 and Trading Standards Service (TSS) has launched a campaign to help consumers by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to recognise, report and combat scams.
As part of Scams Awareness Month, TSS are asking 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.
Trading Standards Officer Kevin McNamara said: “The people who run these scams are clever, sophisticated and well versed in the ways of getting us to part with our money. There’s a scam out there for everyone.
"If you let your guard down and think you won’t be fooled, then you too could become a victim. If you discover a scam or suspect a scam, tell friends and family and contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.”
(DW)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2024
Man Dies After Bus Fall In Belfast
Detectives are investigating the death of an 80-year-old man who fell from a bus in Belfast. Police have said that they believe the man was travelling on a 2J Translink Metro bus service at around 11:15am on Friday, 08 November, when he suffered a fall as the bus travelled along Royal Avenue, near it's junction with North Street.
Man Dies After Bus Fall In Belfast
Detectives are investigating the death of an 80-year-old man who fell from a bus in Belfast. Police have said that they believe the man was travelling on a 2J Translink Metro bus service at around 11:15am on Friday, 08 November, when he suffered a fall as the bus travelled along Royal Avenue, near it's junction with North Street.
15 February 2006
Consumers warned about mass-market scams
The Trading Standards Service has today warned both businesses and consumers to be on the look out for dangerous and costly mass-market scams. This warning comes during scam awareness month, which commenced on February 1 and aims to show people how to recognise scammers and know what to do if they suspect they are being conned.
Consumers warned about mass-market scams
The Trading Standards Service has today warned both businesses and consumers to be on the look out for dangerous and costly mass-market scams. This warning comes during scam awareness month, which commenced on February 1 and aims to show people how to recognise scammers and know what to do if they suspect they are being conned.
04 March 2019
ScamwiseNI & Post Office Collaborate On Scam Protection Initiative
A collaboration between ScamwiseNI and the Post Office has launched today, Monday 04 March, to give consumers an opportunity to discuss any concerns they have about falling victim to a scam.
ScamwiseNI & Post Office Collaborate On Scam Protection Initiative
A collaboration between ScamwiseNI and the Post Office has launched today, Monday 04 March, to give consumers an opportunity to discuss any concerns they have about falling victim to a scam.
11 February 2013
Public Warned Against Slimming Scam
The Northern Ireland public is being warned against accepting offers of slimming products that claim to be on a 'free trial basis'. Consumers have reported to the Trading Standards Service (TSS) online offers for a free sample weight loss product online, which claimed customers would only pay for postage and packaging.
Public Warned Against Slimming Scam
The Northern Ireland public is being warned against accepting offers of slimming products that claim to be on a 'free trial basis'. Consumers have reported to the Trading Standards Service (TSS) online offers for a free sample weight loss product online, which claimed customers would only pay for postage and packaging.
25 November 2008
Christmas Puppy Scam Alert
Consumers are losing out financially and emotionally to unscrupulous con artists, offering non-existent pets for sale online. That was the message from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service (TSS) today, as it issued a warning to any consumers thinking about buying a puppy from the internet this Christmas.
Christmas Puppy Scam Alert
Consumers are losing out financially and emotionally to unscrupulous con artists, offering non-existent pets for sale online. That was the message from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service (TSS) today, as it issued a warning to any consumers thinking about buying a puppy from the internet this Christmas.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A largely cloudy day with occasional rain. Turning drier and brighter for a time in the afternoon and feeling very mild. Light southerly winds becoming strong with gales later along the County Down coast. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, these heavy at times. Strong southerly winds, with gales in the evening across eastern counties, becoming westerly later. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
