Scambusters

Unsuspecting victims are being ripped off to the tune of £1 billion every year in the UK.

The cons falsely promise big returns on relatively small investments, or trick people into calling premium-rate telephone lines to claim prizes. Most use mass-marketing techniques to snare their victims, and the problem has worsened with the wider use of email.

City of York Council trading standards team has launched the awareness campaign with other departments across the country, to alert residents to the scams, many of which originate from overseas.

Council officers have listed a number of simple safeguards to protect people from getting ripped off.

They include, checking out the company by asking for written information or a number to call back; not giving out personal bank account or credit card details to someone you do not know; do not be pressured into signing anything or sending any money.

Colin Rumford, head of trading standards, said: "There is a scam for everyone.

"No one is immune to tempting offers or the professional pitch.

"Trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"If you have been taken in, don't be ashamed, you've done nothing wrong.

"It is professional and manipulative conmen that have broken the law. Report it and become a Scambuster."

Mr Rumford has urged residents to report if they are targeted by conmen.

Meanwhile, the newly-launched Consumer Direct works in close partnership with the 11 trading standards services across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Where further intervention work is required Consumer Direct will refer these complaints to trading standards for further investigation.

To contact Consumer Direct phone on 08454 040506.

:: The top ten scams

Telephone lottery scams

Prize draws sweepstakes and lottery mailings,

Premium rate telephone number scams,

Nigerian advance fee frauds,

"Phishing",

Matrix schemes,

Pyramid schemes,

investment related scams,

Credit scams

Work at home scams

Updated: 09:47 Thursday, February 03, 2005