Watch out for scams

Last updated: 19 May 2010 15:01 UK

Every year 3 million people fall victim to scams and this costs the UK a total of £3.5 billon. Scams can have devastating consequences, both financial and psychological and this is why community trading standards officers carry out scam awareness events and deliver talks on scams to all sorts of groups across the city in the hope that we can help prevent Portsmouth residents from falling victim to a scam.

Scams can come in all sorts of forms including letters, emails, scratch cards and text messages and will often promise you the chance to win vast amounts of money, a luxury holiday or a miracle health cure.

We have a dedicated scam 'e-bin' so you can forward any scam emails or report a scam directly to us. The email address is scams@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Here are some top tips to avoid becoming a victim of scams.

Never reply straight away to an offer. Allow time to think about it. Shop around for the best quote. If possible, get three quotes before you commit yourself
Never send money to anyone telling you you’ve have won a lottery or a prize draw. You won’t ever see the "winnings"
Never give your bank account details or any other personal information to people you don’t know
Never reply to an email, apparently from your bank, asking for your personal and bank details
Never ring an 090 number unless you know how much the call will cost you. It is a premium rate number and could charge you around £1.50 per minute
If you get approached by someone handing you a scratchcard telling you that you have won a “luxury holiday” ask yourself if you are prepared to sit through a lengthy sales pitch

If you think you've been ripped off contact Consumer Direct.

Scams are scheming, crafty, aggressive and malicious. Don’t let them con you!

And remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!