Overview
Scams are schemes to con you out of your money. They usually come by post, phone or email.
Fake lotteries and prize draws, bogus psychic predictions, get-rich-quick investments and 'miracle' health cures are just some of the many tricks that scammers try. The tactics that these conmen use are so powerful that it can be difficult to say no.
Every year, three million people fall victim, losing an average of £850 each, and sometimes a great deal more. And it's not just your money that's at risk. Being taken in by a scam can be very distressing.
The scammers are clever, and all kinds of people from all walks of life get duped. If you let down your guard, you too could become a victim.
Warning signs
- It sounds too good to be true: Beware of hype and extravagant promises. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
- You are contacted out of the blue: You may get a phone call, email or letter from someone you've never heard of.
- You have to make a quick decision: Scammers don't like to give you time to think. They will try to pressure you into making a decision by saying things like 'If you don't act now, you'll miss out.'
- You have to give away bank account details: Trustworthy firms will never contact you to ask for this information.
If you see any of these signs in a letter, phone call, text message or email, it could well be a scam.
First of all, don't reply. Then bin it, delete it or hang up. And if you're still unsure, you can call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06 or report the scam to us.
