From: "John Reynolds" To: "Girton Website" ; "Dry Drayton News" ; "Bar Hill News" ; "Bar Hill Parish Council" ; "Bar Hill website" ; "Binnie Harvey-Boxworth" ; "Dry Drayton Web Site" ; "Girton Parish Council" ; "Girton Parish News" ; "Irish Nick-Dry Drayton" ; "Lolworth Parish Council" Subject: DON'T GET CAUGHT IN SUMMER SCAM-PAIGN Date: 12 August 2007 13:13 DON'T GET CAUGHT IN SUMMER SCAM-PAIGN Scam artists seem not be having a summer holiday this year as complaints about con tricks have risen in Cambridgeshire say Trading Standards. Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards are warning people not to be fooled by unscrupulous scammers after seeing an increase in the number of complaints this summer. Each year in the UK, consumers lose money to a range of scams which exploit low-cost mass-marketing techniques such as email, telephone and post. Trading Standards Officers are urging residents to be aware of a range of tactics that may be used to rip off consumers this summer. The main scams currently in operation fall into the following categories: Unsolicited prize draws These are letters telling you that you have won a prize, which can only be claimed if you pay a 'processing fee' or dial a premium rate telephone number. The prize in question - if you receive anything at all - is usually worth far less than what you have paid to receive it. Unexpected lottery prizes These can be either letters or telephone calls telling you that you have won a prize in an overseas lottery or competition, and then asking you to send money 'up front' to cover 'taxes', or possibly your bank details. It is highly unlikely that you will ever see any money in return. Bogus charity collections Flyers are put through residents' letterboxes claiming that collections of clothing and other goods are being made for charity. However, the people sending these flyers may not be registered charities and instead often use their business registration number instead of a registered charity number. They can mislead you into believing that all the money they raise will go to a worthy cause. If people want to make sure that their donations are going to a good cause, Trading Standards suggest that you give to a charity of your choosing - most High Street charities will collect if asked. You have a parcel awaiting delivery... This is usually a postcard in the style of major parcel carriers, telling you that you have a parcel awaiting your collection and to call a number to arrange delivery. This is a premium rate number and the call may last several minutes. Of course, even if there is a parcel, it contains something worth far less than the cost of the call. Guarantee good fortune 'Clairvoyants' send mailings claiming that they can guarantee you good luck if you send them a sum of money. Some even say that unless you do this, you will experience some misfortune. These messages can be very distressing. Scam letter from outside the UK Letters or e-mails from a foreign address offering a share in a huge sum of money if you allow your bank account to be used to transfer this money out of their country. They are seeking your bank account details so that they can access your money. There is no fortune to be transferred, and you will lose money if you respond. Be your own boss Normally taking the form of an advertisement in a newspaper or on a notice board, these people promise that you can work your chosen hours from the comfort of your own home and you can make your living comfortably by doing so. These schemes usually take the form of making goods or filling envelopes. You have to send cash up front for 'materials' with the promise that you will receive payment once work has been completed. They will then either say that the work is not up to standard, or simply not provide you with any work in the first place. Nikki Piper from Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards Service said: "Scams remain a significant problem and source of irritation to consumers in this area and as many of these letters and emails originate from outside the UK. The best way to combat scams is a greater awareness of the tactics these con artists use. Unfortunately people still fall prey to these scams and can part with a considerable amount of money. We urge consumers who receive mailings, emails or telephone calls which appear to be scams NOT to respond - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Once companies know that someone at your address is replying, they will just send more and more scams to you." If you are worried about letters, calls or other messages you have received contact the Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 04 05 06. John Reynolds -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.13/946 - Release Date: 10/08/2007 15:50