Prevention advice and checklist for public to identify scams
Metropolitan Police Service re-launch website to warn of latest scams to hit the UK
Officers from the Met’s Operation Sterling have today, launched their new scam awareness website in support of Scam Awareness Month.
The ‘new look’ re-launched website, named ‘Fraud Alert’ is a one stop shop designed to equip members of the public and businesses with the tools they need to protect themselves against fraud.
The website will be updated as soon as a new scam that is targeting victims in the UK is discovered. For example, the latest scam to feature relates to fraudulent mail, which Police often refer to as Mass Marketing Fraud. Sent by professional fraudsters, these letters are designed to con recipients into investing in bogus schemes such as fake lotteries, share frauds and inheritance scams. They usually target the elderly and vulnerable. Operation Sterling are not only proactively trying to stop this mail being delivered they are also offering prevention advice and tips on the fraud alert website.
The website provides a check list for members of the public to identify whether they are being scammed or not and also offers the prevention advice they need to stop themselves becoming victims of fraud. Additionall there is information on the website which explains how victims of fraud can report such activity. Offering support to those who need more information and those who could potentially become victims of fraud is important to the MPS.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing, from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said:
“We hope that members of the public will use fraud alert to see up to date information on the latest scams being used to con them out of their hard earned cash.
“The new format should make it easier for those who don’t regularly use computers to navigate their way around the alerts and the prevention advice available.
The MPS would urge anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of fraud to visit the new website at: http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/reporting_fraud.htm
For fraud prevention advice please visit: http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/
Scam Awareness Month is an annual awareness campaign run by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for the month of February. It aims to increase awareness of mass market scams and provides people with helpful and practical advice on how to avoid being scammed. To find out more information or seek advice about a possible scam, contact Consumer Direct via www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty
2nd February 2011