Fraud victims have been urged to report scams after Hounslow Citizens Advice Bureaux Service revealed it had helped tackle 30 cons across the borough last year.
The charity claims that figure represents just a fraction of the true number being swindled, with only 5% of victims reporting their experience to the authorities.
Speaking during CAB's Scams Awareness Month, Basil Mann, chairman of the local branch, said it was imperative victims came forward to help bring scammers to justice and prevent others falling for their cruel cons.
"We've advised on 30 scams but we know there are likely to be many more cons at large," he said.
"Reporting scams is the only way to get them closed down, so we're asking people to inform the authorities to stop others from being targeted.
"If you've been scammed, or you're worried about a potential scam, there are ways in which we can help - you can contact our office or visit the Citizens Advice website for information on your next steps."
As part of its bid to raise awareness, CAB has highlighted the following scams targeting unwitting punters in Hounslow during the last year:
- Two clients found a builder online and paid upfront. When the customers complained about the quality of work, the builder disappeared, leaving the job unfinished and the clients thousands of pounds out of pocket.
- One client worked as a sub-contractor on a building site, with all contact by text or email. After completing the work, the company failed to return his phone calls or emails asking for payment.
- Clients received an email or letter saying they had won millions of Euros in the European Lottery and asking them to send money to receive further instructions on how to claim the jackpot. When the instructions come they ask for more and more money as 'admin costs', with victims having paid up to £12,000.
Research carried out as part of CAB's awareness campaign, supported by Trading Standards, has also shown how different types of scams use different methods to target potential victims:
- More than a third of cold call scams reported to CAB are for professional and financial services
- Two in five postal scams are for lotteries or prize draws, inviting people to claim prizes for competitions they haven't entered
- Four out of five doorstep scams are related to home improvements and household services, from central heating, insulation and roofing to people posing as tree surgeons
- Two out of five internet scams are about personal goods and services, including cosmetics that never arrive, beauty treatments that aren't what they claim to be and slimming pill subscription traps
Hounslow CAB has issued the following tell-tale signs of a potential scam:
- If it sounds too good to be true it probably is
- If you haven't bought a ticket – you can't win it
- You shouldn't have to pay anything to get a prize
- If in doubt, don't reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up
- Contacted out of the blue? – be suspicious
- Don’t be rushed – resist pressure to make a decision straight away
- Never send money to someone you have never met
- Walk away from job ads that ask for money in advance
- Your bank will never attend your home to collect cash, your pin, payment card or chequebook if you are a victim of fraud
- Your bank will never phone you to ask for your PIN or your online banking password
- Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons
- Suspect a phone scam? Hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line or use another phone to call your bank
- Genuine computer firms do not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer
If you spot a scam or believe you may have been scammed you can contact your local Citizens Advice or the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (for advice in Welsh phone 03454 04 05 05).
Hounslow CAB Service is looking for volunteers. For information about how to get involved, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
