There is no such thing as a free gift - someone has to pay. We are bombarded from all directions by telephone, by letter, by cold calling at the door, via the internet by people on the look out to make a fast buck from the unwary.
Here is some friendly advice and things you can do.
Where you can get more help and try to be more pro-active:-
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Consumer Direct: Telephone 0945 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk for advice on all consumer matters
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To stop unsolicited and junk mail, telephone the mail preference service registration line: 0845 703 7599. It can take up to 4 months for the service to take full effect, though you should notice a reduction during this period.
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To stop unsolicited phone calls, telephone the Telephone preference service registration line: 0845 0700707. It take around 28 days for this service to take effect.
Lottery cons - it's possible to get a call to say that you have won thousands in a lottery somewhere - often in Canada, America, Australia. Ignore it! - hang up. If you receive in the post what looks like lottery material from another country, turn it over to your local postmaster for investigation. This is always bogus!!
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Some companies send unsolicited 'gifts' such as pens, key rings, recipe cards etc. through the post. They rely on you paying something later. However, under the Consumer Protection (distance selling) regulations 2000, it is a criminal offence to demand payment for unsolicited goods from a customer - so the goods are yours! If the goods are considerable, then let the supplier know by post (& keep a copy) telling them where they can collect the goods for return, although you are under no obligation to do that.
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Put any material with any of the following: your name, address, bank details, social security details, tax details, credit card details, date of birth, place of birth, children's details, and anything similar in a SHREDDER. Identity fraud is rife!
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Every day, millions of people discover they have unexpectedly 'won' an exciting prize in a prize draw. Many of these claims are a dishonest attempt to trap you into parting with your money. Why not shred the letter and post the return envelope empty.
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The Advance Fee Fraud originates in Africa. It is a letter scam that's been around for some time. A typical example of the letter may suggest that it is 'top secret' and that by helping them to transfer funds trapped in Nigeria, you'll receive a share of several million US Dollars. You won't of course, so put it in the shredder.
If you hear of any new scams or frauds - let us know, and we'll publish them here.................
