Spalding "scamnesty"

Description:

Spalding and South Holland residents are being urged to drop any scam letters into secure bins located around the district as Lincolnshire Trading Standards joins a national "scamnesty" campaign.

Each year 3.2 million adults, (one in 15 people) in the UK fall victim to a scam involving deceptive and unsolicited mailings, phone calls, or emails, but research shows that only five percent of victims ever report their experiences.

Scam mail includes bogus prize draws and competitions, clairvoyant letters and "phishing" scams- where letters demand money or personal details, or offer fake credit cards, deceiving people into thinking they are from a legitimate financial institution.

Mail can be put into any of the bins which will be located in public buildings including libraries, council offices and community access points. Any scam mail posted will be used in aiding investigations by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Mark Keal, trading standards' divisional manager, said: "A lot of people are too embarrassed to tell us if they have been a victim of a scam, so this is an ideal way to help us do something about it whilst staying anonymous.

"It's not the case that people have been easily tricked, scammers are clever and sophisticated and know how to make you part with your cash.

"Anyone can be affected by a scam, but older consumers and vulnerable people often suffer the most. The average amount lost per scam is £850, but for those aged over 55 it is £1,261."

Scamnesty bins will located at libraries in Spalding, Holbeach and Long Sutton from Monday (February 2).