£7.5 million for tackling scams
Monday, 04 Feb 2008 14:40
John Hutton announced a £7.5million action plan aimed at stamping out scams
A new government action plan aimed at stamping out scams has been announced.
Business secretary John Hutton revealed today that around £7.5 million would be invested in new "Scambuster" teams.
Mr Hutton claimed that the Trading Standards teams will tackle prize draw scams, cowboy builders, counterfeiters and door-to-door salespeople.
"Cold calling fraudsters who prey on the elderly and vulnerable bring fear to our communities. We are determined to shut them down and bring them to justice," he said.
"These illegal scams cost people in the UK billion of pounds each year. Consumers deserve a fair deal, not to be ripped off or conned by the bogus sellers that give legitimate business a bad name."
The scheme has been piloted in the Midlands and north-east, with combined teams working in the south-east, east and London.
The pilot was deemed a success and since September 2006 it is estimated that to have saved consumers £3million.
The Office for Fair Trading has designated February scams awareness month, an event that aims to draw attention to mass marketed scams.
It is claimed that as many as three million UK consumers are victims of scams sent by post, email, text, phone and the internet a year, at a cost of £3.5 billion.