Scams and bogus caller seminar aims to protect vulnerable people
Last updated | 17/03/2010
Following the success of similar events, Perth & Kinross Council's Trading Standards and Tayside Police will be hosting a Bogus Caller/Scambusters Seminar in Perth on Friday 26 March 2010.
The event has been timed to link in with a traditional rise in bogus caller crime at this time of year and to support the national campaign by Trading Standards Officers in relation to different scams. It is hoped the seminar will raise awareness and will provide agencies and voluntary organizations who deal with vulnerable members of the community the opportunity to share information and good practice.
The event has been made possible by support from the Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership.
Tayside Police Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie, Divisional Commander for the Perth & Kinross area, will welcome delegates to the seminar at the AK Bell Library Theatre and provide an introduction to the event.
Bogus caller crime and various different types of scams can seriously affect the elderly and most vulnerable members of our community. Victims are often unaware that they have had something stolen and have been a victim of crime. Sometimes they have difficulty recalling certain incidents or information, or are afraid to report incidents for fear of what might happen to them as a result.
Given the invasive nature of these crimes it often leaves victims traumatised or afraid. The criminal also targets cash kept in the house and have been known to steal thousands of pounds, sometimes depriving their victims of their life savings.
Research has suggested that for every one incident that the police are made aware of, up to another eight go unreported.
Every year, an estimated three million people also fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures. Many of these scams are sent through the post, as well as by email or over the phone, and mainly target the elderly and vulnerable. However, Office of Fair Trading research suggests that less than 5% of victims report the scam to the authorities.
The seminar’s delegates are from many professional agencies and organisations that work with, visit, or communicate with the elderly or vulnerable, and this year invitations have also been sent to Post Offices and Bank Managers as well.
Many elderly or vulnerable persons have no relatives or regular visitors to their home, so it is important that other legitimate people visiting or working with them are fully aware of this type of crime.
The seminar provides a varied agenda and includes up to date information whilst at the same time helping to provide solutions and advice. An increased level of intelligence and multi-agency awareness are significant assets in crime prevention, reduction and detection throughout Perth and Kinross.
Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie said: "Bogus caller crime primarily affects the elderly and most vulnerable members of the community. In order to trick or distract their victims, those involved in this type of criminality may take many forms, including bogus officials, persons purporting to be bona fide workmen who carry out sub-standard work at inflated prices, or persons purporting to need help. These people are often well organised and often operate in teams.
"Many elderly or vulnerable people have no relatives or regular visitors, so it is important that their carers or people who work on their behalf are made aware of this type of crime and in some cases take action on their behalf.
"Please remember that all genuine officials will carry identification and you should insist on seeing it and checking it thoroughly before you allow them access to your home. Genuine officials will not mind if you leave them waiting on the doorstep whilst you take your time to check their identification.
"If they have called without an appointment, there is nothing wrong with asking them to wait at the door whilst you phone their office to confirm they are who they say. Never use the telephone number listed on any identification card, business card or brochure that the caller gives you - always use the number listed in the telephone directory or yellow pages.
"Above all, if you have elderly neighbours, please look out for them and if you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area please get in touch with us. Bogus caller crime has quite rightly been identified as a strategic priority at both a national level and within Tayside."
Community Safety Convener, Councillor Willie Robertson said: "Today's seminar is intended to raise awareness of scammers and bogus callers and enable everyone who works with older or vulnerable people to help them avoid being conned. I am pleased that through the Community Safety Partnership we can deliver events like this that aim to protect communities from this kind of crime."
