Watch out
Don't be a scammer's next victim!
February 2012
= Scams Awareness Month!
Scams Awareness Month - Haven't we all had a website pop up telling us we've won thousands of pounds for being the '1,000,000th member of their site', or something else similar? It's happened to me many times and while I would definitely like to believe I'd won that kind of cash - I've come to recognise a scam!
Around 3 million people a year fall victim to online scans. Scam Detectives wants us to use
Scams Awareness Month
to prevent people from being taken in by these convincing scams online, via text, email or phone.
Anyone anywhere can fall for a scam - but eldery people are
likely to lose almost twice as much as others. These victims are
often alone or burdened by illnesses like dementia. But why
wouldn't people go for these scams? Fake miracle health cures,
psychics, prize draws and lotteries all appear as great
opportunities.
This makes me angry - scammers become rich with no thought to
making others poor and unhappy.
But thankfully action is being taken to put this to a stop!
The Office of Fair Trade has launched a TV campaign and in 2011 introduced
Scamnesty bins
round the UK. So you can bin any of that scam mail you have received. You are also urged to report any scams you've received or suspect are not genuine. Visit their website for more information.
Other organisations also recognise the dangerousness of scams.
Facebook will offer a 'panic button' to their profiles, especially to kids between 13-18 who are often most vulnerable. As a user of facebook myself, I'm relieved to hear something like this is being introduced!
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