Information on Loughborough

Avoid Eggstortion this Easter

Posted on 17/03/2008
J. Milton

easter flowers

Trading Standards’ new online consumer quiz highlights the approaches and techniques used by different scams, and provides tips on how to avoid falling victim to the scammers. Have a go and if you get the most right answers you could win a £25 book voucher.

There is a scam for everyone, no matter what type of person you are, warn Leicestershire Trading Standards Officers. An estimated five million people lose money to low-cost mass-marketed scams in the UK every year, at a cost of up to £1 billion per year to the victims. Lottery scams capitalise on the need for money, clairvoyant scams exploit peoples fears, and others such as miracle health or beauty cures prey on anxieties about health or personal appearance.

David Bull Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service said “Consumers should never assume that they cant be taken in by a scam. Many believe they are too savvy or streetwise to fall for these cons, but the scamsters target different people in different ways to exploit their weaknesses and take their money.”

To protect themselves from scams, consumers should:

• call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for advice if you are unsure whether an offer is genuine or not

• talk to neighbours, friends and relatives and check out whether this special offer has been sent to others

• never give out personal financial information or be pressured into sending money - take your time to check out the company and consider the offer at length.

To take part in the quiz, go on-line to: www.leics.gov.uk/trading-standards

Full details and terms and conditions of entry can be found on the website. Closing date is 5pm 7th April 2008