County is "scam capital of Wales" says Plaid

Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd has warned householders to be aware of the dangers of scams in the wake of a huge number of complaints made to trading standards officers across Wales.

 

Scores of complaints about scams and unsolicited calls are being made to trading standards officers every week with councils across North Wales dealing with 2624 complaints over the past few years.

 

Denbighshire alone had more than 1,000 complaints over four years, second only to Swansea in terms of numbers. Many local authorities have also taken out prosecutions following complaints [see breakdown below]

 

Plaid Cymru submitted a Freedom of Information request to all Welsh local authorities to find out the extent of complaints about scams and cold calling. The figures released reveal Denbighshire as the “scam capital” of North Wales.

 

Mr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “Older people are more likely to fall victim to these scammers and lose their life savings as has happened too many.

 

“I support Age Cymru’s call for action by government and the telecom companies to tackle these scammers along with and measures such as an expansion cold-calling zones.

 

“The information we obtained using the Freedom of Information Act is an indication of the significant concerns of people about scammers. This is probably the tip of the iceberg because, while some individuals will make complaints, others may perhaps feel too embarrassed to complain. But they should go to the police and trading standards with any concerns

 

“These scammers and rogue traders are really the worst of society and it is important that we are all aware of the dangers, particularly if we have older relatives, friends or neighbours.”

 

This month Age Cymru is leading on a Scams Awareness Month highlighting online, mail, phone and doorstep scams.

 

The figures

 

 

DENBIGHSHIRE

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 222

2011-12: 285

2012-13: 299

2013-14: 240 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 1,046

Prosecutions: 6

 

 

FLINTSHIRE (for comparison)

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 92

2011-12: 135

2012-13: 134

2013-14: 116 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 477

Prosecutions: 0