Local residents in the region who have been the victims of mail scams are going to receive their money back. The Trading Standards team at Dumfries and Galloway Council have been working in cooperation with the National Scams Team who have intercepted scam mail. The national team are continuously working to identify scams and intercept. They have contacted the local Trading Standards team following the first round of a new initiative where they have intercepted cheques and money that has been sent by people within Dumfries and Galloway. This partnership approach to scams allowed the cheques to be returned to their rightful owners and not end up in the scammers pockets.
Dumfries and Galloway residents may unfortunately from time to time find themselves to be the victims of scams. These scammers are very professional and target unsuspecting consumers. In all incidences the scam will sound very convincing. Once the consumer has replied to the mailing and often sent money off to the scammer, the mailings become more personalised, using your first name to coax you into parting with more money.
Following the first interception, Trading Standards have returned over 10 cheques to local residents who had responded to dishonest scammers. There are instances where more than one cheque has been sent to an individual – highlighting that people can repeatedly be the victim of a scam. The Trading Standards team will continually receive any cheques that are intercepted. They will pass any cheques or money back to the individuals who responded to the dishonest scammers.
Sadly, a national initiative like this will not stop scammers from trying again. Dumfries and Galloway Council Trading Standards offer advice and tips on how to spot the carefully thought out schemes of these scammers to deter it from happening again. This positive action seems to be helping to give people the tools they need not to fall for tricks and scams.
Cllr Colin Smyth chair of the environment, economy and infrastructure committee said, ‘Protecting the vulnerable is a priority of this council. The Council’s trading standards team have been working together with the National Scams Team allowing us to stop people in the region from losing their money. Nobody can afford to be scammed. As such, we will continue to support national initiatives like this. Our team are continually trying to identify ways to minimise opportunities for scammers and to raise awareness of potential scams.”
Photos Attached- Scams 2- Trading Standards Manager Sandra Harkness and Trading Standards Officer Jonathon Weirs with Councillor Colin Smyth.
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