This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jun/07/warning-older-people-scam-letters

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Warning to older people over scam letters Warning to older people over scam letters
(1 day later)
The risk of vulnerable consumers falling victim to postal scams has been underlined by the case of an 84-year-old dementia sufferer who was bombarded by letters claiming he had won prizes.The risk of vulnerable consumers falling victim to postal scams has been underlined by the case of an 84-year-old dementia sufferer who was bombarded by letters claiming he had won prizes.
The man from Plymouth, Devon, spent thousands of pounds on unwanted goods after receiving bogus letters selling products with the lure of significant winnings in a prize draw, or saying he had won a lump sum provided he sent in an administration fee.The man from Plymouth, Devon, spent thousands of pounds on unwanted goods after receiving bogus letters selling products with the lure of significant winnings in a prize draw, or saying he had won a lump sum provided he sent in an administration fee.
Even in the digital age, old-fashioned postal scams remain prolific. Letters from phoney lotteries, prize draws and criminal clairvoyants offering promises of future health and wealth are among those typically hitting peoples’ doormats. Most of us recognise these letters as nasty rubbish and bin them without opening, but enough people fall for these scams to make them worthwhile. Even in the digital age, old-fashioned postal scams remain prolific. Letters from phoney lotteries, prize draws and criminal clairvoyants offering promises of future health and wealth are among those typically hitting people’s doormats. Most of us recognise these letters as nasty rubbish and bin them without opening, but enough people fall for these scams to make them worthwhile.
Typically aimed at older people, recipients are persuaded to buy a product, pay a processing fee or call a premium rate number in order to collect their winnings. Anyone who responds soon finds their letterbox full of junk.Typically aimed at older people, recipients are persuaded to buy a product, pay a processing fee or call a premium rate number in order to collect their winnings. Anyone who responds soon finds their letterbox full of junk.
In this case the man’s family found a pile of post three-feet high that included scam letters from Belgium, France, Ireland and Switzerland, along with stacks of items including 100 bars of soap, 153 tubes of shower gel and more than 50 false teeth holders and toothbrushes.In this case the man’s family found a pile of post three-feet high that included scam letters from Belgium, France, Ireland and Switzerland, along with stacks of items including 100 bars of soap, 153 tubes of shower gel and more than 50 false teeth holders and toothbrushes.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, says: “Victims can have the pressure piled up on them one letter at a time. It is disgraceful that scammers target older and vulnerable people by post and over the phone to fleece them of thousands of pounds.”Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, says: “Victims can have the pressure piled up on them one letter at a time. It is disgraceful that scammers target older and vulnerable people by post and over the phone to fleece them of thousands of pounds.”
A spokesman for consumer group Which? adds: “People are losing billions of pounds to postal scams, with the most common being competitions, fake foreign lotteries and clairvoyants. It may be a cliche, but if something seems to be too good to be true, it usually is.”A spokesman for consumer group Which? adds: “People are losing billions of pounds to postal scams, with the most common being competitions, fake foreign lotteries and clairvoyants. It may be a cliche, but if something seems to be too good to be true, it usually is.”
If you encounter any of the above scams you should report them to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.If you encounter any of the above scams you should report them to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.