Trading Standards Drive Down Crime
Published on:
01
October 2012
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council's Trading Standards Service has branded two cars to highlight the fight against scams and doorstepcrime in local communities.
One branded Smart car promotes an Office of Fair Trading initiativecalled "Scambuster" which gives advice on common scams and how toavoid them. For example - a common scam that Trading Standards come across is known as the "advance fee" scam where a local consumer receives a letter or email offering a huge payment if you can help get money out of a foreign country.
Other common scams can involve letters from "clairvoyants" or "psychics" promising to makepredictions that will change your life forever - but first you have to pay a fee, or consumers can
receive a letter, phone call, text message or email to say that theyhave won a huge sum of money in a lottery - even though they never bought a ticket.
There are many other scams out there - contact Trading Standards if you think that you have received one.
The second Trading Standards car promotes the Doorstoppers "Say NO to doorstep callers" initiative, which encourages consumers to take control of their doorstep and keep out cold callers.
Every year doorstep criminals take advantage of consumers by duping them out of hundreds or thousands of pounds for overpriced, substandard and generally unnecessary work. The Trading Standards Service encourages local consumers to take control of their doorstep and say "No" to
doorstep callers. By every body working together we can ensure that our vulnerable neighbours can be protected.
Anybody who wants more advice on how to avoid falling victim to scammers or doorstep criminals or wants to know what to do if they, a friend, neighbour or family member have should call Trading Standards on 01786 443322.
