Fighting back against scams

There are dozens of types of scams circulating at any one time. They may offer the chance to invest in an exciting new money-making scheme, announce an unexpected prize draw or lottery win or make amazing claims about products or services at a bargain price.

These scams are aimed at businesses as well as consumers.

Scams can affect anyone and becoming a victim can have a serious effect on people's physical and mental health as well as their finances.

Millions of people in the UK are scammed every year losing hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds with the total annual loss estimated at around £5 billion.

Research shows 48% of the population has been targeted by a scam – and around half of the victims have reported suffering ill health as a result with older and vulnerable residents being most at risk.

In Derbyshire the average age of a mail scam victim is 77 and 90% have recently been widowed or live alone. Bereavement, isolation and loneliness are common factors.

Scams fall into 4 main types:

• telephone scams including nuisance telephone calls claiming to be from reputable companies and offering to sort out issues like computer viruses or insurance
• online scams - highlighting online 'copycat' websites which charge fees for services like passport renewals, driving tests and tax returns
• mail scams about lotteries, prize draw catalogues, psychics and other similar schemes
• doorstep scams - tackling doorstep cold callers offering services like free boilers, insulation or solar panels

Reporting levels are as low as 5% for some types of scam so the full financial and emotional cost isn't known. This is made worse by many victims being too embarrassed or frightened to tell anyone.

Our Trading Standards team works with Citizens Advice, the Trading Standards Institute, the police and other agencies to tackle all kinds of scam, support victims and provide advice and information about what action they can take.

We also urge carers, families and friends to be on lookout for signs older or vulnerable residents are being scammed, such as unplanned work being carried out around the house, unusual financial transactions or high levels of unsolicited mail.

Carers are encouraged to raise the subject directly, encourage them to talk and offer support.

How to spot a scam

Scam letters and emails will look professional and seem convincing and cold callers will sound genuine – but our advice to consumers and businesses is to steer clear.

If you're offered something that seems too good to be true, before you respond, stop and consider:

• Was the offer unsolicited?
• How can I have won a competition of lottery that I haven't entered?
• Did the offer come from overseas?
• Why do I have to respond immediately - what's the rush?
• Do I have to make a purchase or send money to win a prize?
• Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?
• Why would my bank ask me to confirm my account details to them?
• Do I have to send money to a PO Box number?
• Why am I being asked to keep it confidential?
• Can I afford to lose the money?

Action you can take to tackle scams

You can:

• get advice and report issues to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service or telephone: 0808 223 1133
• report scams and suspected scams to Action Fraud or telephone: 0300 123 2040
• send potential postal scams with a covering letter to Royal Mail at FREEPOST Scam Mail, email scam.mail@royalmail.com or telephone: 03456 113 413
• report unsolicited marketing calls to the Information Commissioner's Office or telephone: 0303 123 1113
• to stop sales call from UK based businesses to landlines and mobile phones register free of charge with the Telephone Preference Service or telephone: 0345 070 0707
• the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is free and can help reduce unsolicited mail, telephone: 0845 703 4599
• Age UK has information on avoiding all types of scams - or see their guide attached to this page
• tell a trusted friend, relative or neighbour
• watch videos from East Midlands Cyber Secure about common scams and how to protect yourself from them

Call blocker services to stop unwanted telephone calls

Contact your telephone provider or visit their website to set up a free call blocker to stop nuisance calls:

• British Telecom (BT) Call Protect telephone: 0800 800 150
• Plusnet telephone: 0800 432 0200
• Sky Shield telephone: 0333 7592 673
• Talk Talk CallSafe telephone: 1472 from your Talk Talk landline
• Virgin Anonymous Caller Rejection Service telephone: 150 from your Virgin line or telephone: 0345 4541111 from another phone

If you use a provider that we have not listed, and you would like to know more about blocking calls please contact us, email trading.standards@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 533190.

Help for people who've been scammed

Think Jessica is a Derbyshire-based charity set up to help and support people affected by scammers and also to highlight the effects on victims.

Age UK has a national helpline, telephone: 0800 169 6565 or you can contact Age UK Derby and Derbyshire which can provide a wide range of help and support for local older people and carers. Residents can call the local service, telephone: 01773 768240.

Derbyshire Victim Services offer free and confidential support to victims of crime, telephone: 0808 612 6505.

We also provide a number of services to help older people live safely and independently, increase confidence and reduce social isolation.

Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network

We're working in partnership with South Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Services to develop Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network. The network ensures that isolated and vulnerable adults can find befriending services. For more information contact the network coordinator, email befriending@sdcvs.org.uk or telephone: 01283 219761.

Trusted Trader

Our Trusted Trader scheme can help protect residents from rogue traders and high pressure sales techniques. There are over 1,000 traders signed up including builders, gardeners, plumbers and decorators who pledge to do a good job at a fair price with good customer service.

Our Trading Standards team checks out all applicants for complaints or county court judgements to give residents additional peace of mind.

Free Trusted Trader 'Doorstep sellers – don't call here' door stickers are available from all our libraries and other community outlets.