Those in debt to be targeted by scammers

Some industry officials have predicted that those in a lot of debt, as well as more vulnerable people, are likely to find themselves being targeted by scammers over the course of this year. Officials have said that scams will be targeted at older people, those with a high level of debt, and those with low income, as these groups are more likely to be susceptible to such scams due to their difficult financial circumstances.

Amongst the different scams that many consumers are likely to face are bogus lottery claims. Many different scams claim to be offering instant cash because the recipient has won something, but often the person never even entered into the drawer or lottery that they are supposed to have won.

The information comes from the Office of Fair Trading, which has predicted that the level of such crime is likely to rise in 2009. The agency is now running a campaign in order to encourage people to report such scams to them, so that more people can be made aware and fewer will fall victim to the scams.

One official from the Office of Fair Trading said: ‘Scammers adapt to new circumstances and offer false hope to those often in difficult financial straits who may be tempted by the false hope offered by prize draws or claims of a foreign lottery win.’