MILLIONS of people fall victim to scams every year but fewer than five per cent report them, according to Consumer Direct.
It is estimated £3.5 billion is lost to fraudsters from unsuspecting consumers.
Now the Government-funded advice service is building a database of scams to pass on to trading standards departments and The Office of Fair Trading to help them in t
he battle against scammers.
People can record the details of a scam on a new feature on Consumer Direct's website.
JOHN Field, Consumer Direct Yorkshire & Humber manager, said: "Completing a simple online form should make it much quicker and easier for people to tell us about a scam they are aware of.
"This will hopefully help to increase the level of scam reporting and improve the information we can pass on for investigation."
If you are approached and offered something that seems too good to be true, before you respond, ask yourself these questions:
- Was the offer unsolicited?
- Does it look too good to be true?
- Do I have to respond 'at once' - what's the rush?
- Do I have to make a purchase to win a prize?
- Do I have to ring a premium rate telephone number?
- Do I have to give them my bank or credit card details?
- Do I have to send money to a PO Box number?
- Am I asked to keep it confidential?
- Can I afford to lose the money?
Call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit
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