Chapter 5 - HOW TO RECOGNISE A SCAM
WHAT WILL THEY ASK ME TO DO ?
They’ll ask you to:
- Send money up front – an administration fee or tax, the list is endless but it’s
always a ruse to get you to give them money.
- Give them your bank details or other personal details.
- Ring a premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090).
- Buy something to get your prize.
- Contact them at a PO Box number.
WHAT WILL THEY OFFER ME ?
They offer you something for nothing such as:
- You’ve won a prize in a draw or a lottery (even if you haven’t entered one).
- An exclusive entry to a scheme that’s a surefire way to make money.
- Easy money by helping them get untold millions out of their country.
- The chance to join an investment scheme that will make you huge amounts of
money; and so on.
CAN I BE CAUGHT OUT ?
It is possible for anyone to be caught out because scam artists will:
- Catch you unawares, contacting you, without you asking them to, by phone,
email, post or sometimes in person.
- Sound pleasant, well spoken and kind (on the phone or at your door) and want
you to think they’re your friend.
- Have slick, professional leaflets and letters.
- Be persistent and persuasive.
- Rush you into making a decision.
WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID BECOMING VICTIM OF A SCAM ?
New scams from the UK and overseas appear every day - so it’s important to know
how to spot them. They come in many guises, e.g. by email, telephone, post or by a
knock at the front door. There are hundreds of examples but we can all protect
ourselves by being sceptical. Is it likely that someone you don’t know, who has
contacted you out of the blue will give you something for nothing? Never send any
money or give personal details to anyone until you’ve checked them out and talked to
a professional or family and friends. If they ask you to do any of these things then it’s
likely to be a scam.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BECOME A VICTIM ?
If you discover a scam tell your friends and family. If you have been the victim of a
scam you should report it to the police.
See ‘Contacting the police’ (Chapter 1).
Please click here to return to the list of contents