Scamnesty: 'drop in to drop them in it'
Greenwich Council launched Scamnesty 2010 – a nationwide campaign by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which aims to help end the scourge of mass marketed scam mailings in the UK.
Scamnesty month officially ended on February 26 but residents were given an extra week to pop scam mainings into special bins around the borough.
There was a good response to the campaign, particularly regarding spam emails, according to Greenwich Trading Standards.
'It's an issue that affects so many of us'
Cllr Maureen O'Mara, member for neighbourhood services, said: "I'm very pleased that Greenwich residents have responded to well to this campaign because it's an issue that affects so many of us.
"It is important that any spam mailings are brought to the attention of the trading standards team so that offenders can be dealt with."
Bin locations
Scamnesty bins were located at the following sites:
Nearly half of the UK adult population has been targeted by a scam and every year, 3.2 million adults (one in 15 people) across the nation falls victim to a scam.
This could involve deceptive unwelcome mailings, phone calls, or emails, which are designed to con victims out of their cash.
UK consumers lose around a staggering £3.6 billion to scams every year.
Last year the campaign revealed that the top five mass-marketed scam mailings in the UK were:
- Deceptive sweepstakes.
- Misleading prize draws.
- Fake clairvoyants/psychics.
- Bogus foreign lotteries.
- Miracle health cures.
Further information
If you think you have been victim of a scam, or you suspect a scam, email our trading standards team using the contacts details above.
You can also contact Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 040506 or visit the Consumer Direct website for more information.
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