Money News
Consumer Direct, the government advice service, has added a new reporting function to its website to help in the fight against mass marketed scams.
The new reporting form - www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/scams/ - will allow members of the public to record details of the type of scam they've encountered, to provide information on the potential scammers and to add any further information which they feel may be of use to the authorities.
Each submitted form will be kept on Consumer Direct's database and made available to Local Authority Trading Standards Services and the Office of Fair Trading to help them in their battle against persistent scammers.
According to OFT research, three million UK consumers fall victim to scams every year and lose an estimated £3.5 billion. However, fewer than 5% of people report scams to the authorities.
The CD site also has information on how to spot scams currently circulating in the UK, including bogus foreign lotteries, pyramid selling schemes, miracle cures and investment scams.
The scams reporting launch coincides with Scams Awareness Month - an annual international initiative organised by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.
In the UK, Scams Awareness Month is supported by the OFT, Local Authority Trading Standards Services, Consumer Direct, the Advertising Standards Authority and other consumer and industry bodies.
14 February 2008 © Moneyextra.com
Moneyextra.com recommends you should consider taking independent financial advice before acting on any article. Please contact us for help with your individual circumstances if any assistance is required.