Think Jessica' poster campaign gets council backing

A hard hitting national poster campaign, raising awareness of scam letters tricking victims into sending large sums of money to fraudsters is being launched today (Thursday 1st October) as part of the 'Think Jessica' campaign.

Caerphilly County Borough Council is joining forces with the Trading Standards Institute and other local authorities across the UK to support the campaign, which warns of criminals who are encouraging people across the UK to send them some £3.5 billion a year.

The scams can take a number of forms, including clairvoyants asking for money to keep loved ones safe or promises of a large cash prize for a 'small fee'.

Replying to just one of these letters can result in the victim being placed on what is known as a 'suckers list', which in turn will see the number of scam post received multiply to dozens of letters a day in some instances.

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "Scams such as this often target some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, many of whom often don't tell family members or friends that they are replying to these letters.

I'm pleased that this very important issue is being publicised through the 'Think Jessica' campaign, and would encourage anyone that is worried about themselves or a friend or relative falling prey to scams such as this to get in touch with Trading Standards or call the new free advice line."

The 'Think Jessica' campaign was set up following the death of campaigner Marilyn Baldwin's mother Jessica in 2007.

Jessica was receiving more than 30 scam letters every day, and was sending most of her pension money every week to the criminals operating the scams.

The situation quickly spiralled out of a control to a point where Jessica became distrustful of her own family, while remaining convinced she would soon win a large sum of money. When the money started running out she became anxious and her health started deteriorating.

Her daughter Marilyn is convinced that the torment from the scam mail was partly to blame for her mother's death. She said, "Straight after my mother died I knew I had to do something. I set up Think Jessica to raise awareness about this awful fraud whose many victims are suffering in silence, and to hopefully bring about change so that they can be reached and helped."

To report a scam, please contact CCBC's Trading Standards on 01495 235 291 or the new free advice line on 0800 848 88 55. Go to our scams and scam mailings page to find out more about scams and how to avoid falling victim to them.

For further information on the 'Think Jessica' campaign, please visit the Think Jessica website.