RESIDENTS are being urged to post their scam mail in local libraries to help stamp out scams in Oxfordshire.

This month Oxfordshire County Council is supporting Scam Awareness Month, to help cut down on the number of people falling prey to scams across the county.

Cold calls, high-pressure sales tactics and automated voicemails asking for people’s details are just some of the tricks fraudsters are using to rob people of their hard earned money.

Fraud victims pay a heavy price, losing billions of pounds every year. Scams targeting people by phone or post alone cost people in the UK an estimate £5 billion each year.

There are common hallmarks to every scam and the council is keen to show people what to look out for so they don’t fall prey to a fraudster.

Councillor Rodney Rose, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Reporting suspicious offers and incidents of fraud is vital to getting scams closed down, so if you think you or someone you know has been contacted by a con artist or been the victim of scam, seek advice and report it to the authorities."

Richard Webb, Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards and Community Safety Manager said: "Scams are more common than most people realise and every day we hear from people who have lost money to a con-artist.

"Some scams are one-offs that persuade you to part with a lump sum, while others go after your personal details so they can access your money or copy your identity.

"We’re asking people to help us tackle scams in Oxfordshire by getting to know the common signs, warning others, and reporting incidents to us so we can investigate."

Get rid of your scam mail at your local library during July. Special scam mail post boxes are available at Abingdon, Banbury, Cowley, Didcot and Witney Libraries.

The Trading Standards Team will be out and about during the month and are teaming up with Age UK for drop in sessions across the county about scamming:

  • The Village Hall in Southmoor on the 7th July from 10am to midday.
  • Eynsham Emporium on the 11th July from 10am to midday.
  • Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley on the 13th July from 11am to 2pm.
  • The Witney Congregational Church on the 14th July from 10am to midday.
  • Castle Quay Shopping Centre in Banbury on the 28th July from 10am to 1pm.