Council's crackdown on scams sends a message to postal fraud

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Council's crackdown on scams sends a message to postal fraudsters

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/229477-coun ... raudsters/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A local authority has launched a fresh crackdown on postal, online and telephone fraud.

Angus Council is working with post offices to reduce the number of people who are tricked into parting with their money by con artists.

Forfar postmaster Elizabeth McNeill said: "Customers are getting contacted by scammers saying that they have won a substantial amount of money.

“They’re told to go to an outlet and transfer an admin fee so they can get these cheques that they are going to send out to them. What happens is they come down and try to do a money transfer and we catch that at the counter."

Angus Council is the first local authority in Scotland to produce a formal policy on financial harm, setting out how it will target criminals and protect residents.

The local authority’s Mark Hodgkinson said it was unlikely residents could ever enjoy a “scam-free Angus” but added: "We can make it as hard as possible for the scammers and reduce the amount of scamming and defrauding, particularly of vulnerable adults.

"What we really want to do is make people as aware as possible of the dangers."

The council is urging residents to be vigilant and look out for vulnerable friends and family members who may be tempted by offers through the post, online or by telephone.

[RedBagMan]

Up (down ?) our way too ...

http://www.saddleworthnews.com/?p=15317" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[banddy]

http://news.stv.tv/tayside/229477-counc ... raudsters/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[arnold cheshire]

ive always paid these admin fees and wondered why i dont recieve my winnings

[DB1100]

Pot calling the kettle I think.

[UnhappyGremlin]

There's an old saying, if something is too good to be true, it usually is. You don't get anything for free these days.

These types of scams usually only work on the elderly and vulnerable, and the incredibly stupid.
If you haven't solicited the letter, then ignore it.

And RM can't really claim innocence with regards to thing like this. No doubt they have helped the problem grow by offering cheaper ways to deliver the scam mail.