Don’t Get Done

For a change, I’m going to be serious. In fact, I’m very angry about a totally heartless & callous section of our society we’ve come to know as scammers.

They don’t care who you are & will prey on young or old, the vulnerable & the just plain careless. As long as they can separate you from your cash, they are happy.

They continue to come up with increasingly ingenious scams using the internet, the post, the telephone & your front door. In the North East alone, they’ve taken over £4 million from old people! So what are typical scams, how should we avoid them & what should we do when we find one.

With the space available here, I cannot answer all these questions fully. So, here’s an offer for you. If you feel even the slightest suspicion about something but are not sure, get in touch with me via the contact details on my website below. Alternatively, contact the Office of Fair Trading, Citizens Advice, Action Fraud, Age UK, or Crimestoppers.

Today, the range of scams is huge & constantly evolving. Here’s a selection. How many of them have you, your family or friends come across?

* You get a letter or email saying you’ve won an overseas lottery

* Someone knocks on the door saying you need a repair to your roof

* You’re offered some dead cert shares in a company

* You can buy a ticket in short supply for a concert you want to attend

* An email arrives saying you’re due a tax refund

* You’re approached via the internet by an ‘attractive’ person wanting a date

* You have a timeshare property & someone tells you they have a seller

* Your daughter is told she could be a successful model

* You get an email saying that you need to update your bank details

* You’re offered solar panels to get access to a Government rebate

* Someone in front of you brakes suddenly & you crash into the back of them

* You receive an offer of training, home study or a good job

* You’re offered some land which will increase in value after planning permission is granted

* You sell an item on eBay, receive payment by PayPal & despatch the item

* You’re contacted by a will writing company

* You can put a large sum of money into your account in return for a percentage

* Your car is for sale & someone contacts you saying they have a guaranteed buyer

* You’re contacted by your phone company saying you are in arrears & asking for payment

This is just a selection from the better known scams. It shows how sinister, creative & dangerous these criminals can be. I’ve personally experienced some of these & not been caught out. But that’s not to say I might be one day. So, what can we do to protect ourselves?

First of all, make sure your computer is protected with the latest firewall, anti-virus & anti-spam software. Make sure your passwords are strong & update them regularly. Even so, the odd email may still get through. So the second line of defence is common sense

If you do receive an email which asks for personal information or has a too good to be true offer, delete it. Much the same advice applies to anyone who knocks at the door or phones you & items received in the post. And never pay until you have received the goods or services & you are happy with them.

My best wishes to you all during the rest of the challenging year ahead. And, whatever you do, stay safe from the scammers.

Quick Thought: I fancy a pet spider. They’re really expensive at the pet shop. I reckon I can get one cheaper off the web!

© Richard Hannam – December 2012

Photograph by Richard Hannam   ‘It’s not what it seems’