NCA and ODCA launch scams awareness campaign to mark World Consumer Rights Day
Campaign in 10 Languages To Target Different Nationalities Living and Working In Ireland
15 March 2007 - Today, on World Consumer Rights Day, the National Consumer Agency and the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs previewed their forthcoming Scams Awareness Campaign.
The Campaign, which will be formally launched to coincide with April Fool's Day on April 1st next, is aimed at helping consumers in Ireland to protect themselves from con artists. This year, the campaign will run in eight languages in addition to English and Irish, in an effort to reach some of the different language groups living and working in Ireland today.
Although no official statistics exist for Ireland, UK research suggests that 59% of the UK population over 15 years of age has been the victim of a scam, costing the victims up to £1 billion (€1.5 billion) annually.
The NCA and ODCA are issuing advice and information to assist consumers in recognising and avoiding scams. This year, a particular focus is being placed on reaching the different nationalities living and working in Ireland, with distribution to cultural centres, government offices, churches, shops and through bodies such as the Immigrant Council of Ireland etc.
The aim is to raise awareness and to help stop scammers and tricksters getting their hands on money that ordinary people have saved through hard work.
Scammers have many ways of targeting people in Ireland including phone calls, e-mail, post and door-to-door visits. The most common scams are often disguised as special promotions, prizes or free holiday offers. All of these scams have the common thread that they seek to persuade the individual targeted to part with money or with sensitive financial information.
Ann Fitzgerald, Chair of the National Consumer Agency and Director of Consumer Affairs said: "Very often people who have been victims of scams do not report them, perhaps because they don't want to look foolish, or they may not be sure that it was actually a scam.
"We want to help consumers and ask them to let us know if they, or their friends or relatives, have fallen for a scam. In this way, we can build up the information we need to help us combat scammers and protect consumers.
"The reality is that scams are not targeted only at the weak and vulnerable. Be aware there is a scam out there with your name on it and we all need to vigilant," she concluded.
Certain people are being targeted repeatedly. "Suckers Lists" exist, whereby the name and details of a consumer known to have previously responded to a scam is sold on to other tricksters and con-artists, who then follow up with other fraudulent offers.
Consumers who fear they are being targeted by suspicious offers or requests should stop, think and check before deciding to hand over money or their financial details.
The NCA/ODCA website, www.consumerconnect.ie contains information on how to avoid being taken in by scams; consumers can also call the helpline on 1890 432 432.
A special email address "haveyoursay@consumerconnect.ie" has also been set up to enable people to tell the National Consumer Agency about scams to which they or those known to them may have fallen victim.