A large amount of scam mail weighing in at 36 stones has been recovered from the homes of just six vulnerable people in Nottinghamshire.
Officers from the County Council’s Trading Standards team have been visiting the homes of older people and people with dementia to try and prevent them becoming scam victims.
In six of the biggest cases, the mail that was removed from the homes added up to 36 stones – the equivalent weight of a male tiger.
The Council has recently announced an extra £76,786 investment to help support local victims of mass marketing scams over the next twelve months. The money is paying for two additional Trading Standards officers dedicated to working with vulnerable residents who have been identified as potential victims of a scam.
The National Scams Hub supplies local authorities with lists of potential scam victims seized from mailing houses and the Council has so far visited 400 potential victims who have been on local lists.
Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle, Chair of the County Council’s Community Safety Committee, said: “36 stones of scam mail from just six homes is an incredible amount and just shows how these unscrupulous companies are targeting the most vulnerable in our communities.
“Our Trading Standards officers are working with these people to give advice and help them to avoid becoming victims of scams. I would also urge people to look out for their vulnerable friends, family and neighbours by signing up to the ‘Friends Against Scams’ campaign.”
People can sign up to ‘Friends Against Scams’ at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
To report concerns about scam contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.