THURROCK Council is warning residents about the dangers of scam mail.

The dangers of scam mail, especially to vulnerable adults, are being highlighted by the council's trading standards team.

Cllr Phil Smith, the council’s public protection portfolio holder, said: “Everybody receives some of this sort of mail, but most of us simply put it in the recycling.

“Unfortunately some people respond, believing they will benefit – they’re wrong.”

Trading standards and adult safeguarding have been working together and have identified and visited a large number of victims across the borough.

Cllr Smith said: “The most heavily targeted victims were receiving 20 and more letters a day from scammers offering a variety of rewards, including lottery wins, unknown inheritances, business investment opportunities, psychic predictions and dating opportunities, in return for an upfront fee of £10 to £30.

“There are people who think that this sort of small investment will lead to the chance of a big return, but those who do send money soon find the only thing they receive in return is more requests for even more money - either from the same scam, or similar ones as their name and address details are sold on.

“These scammers are evil and must be stopped.”

The council’s investigation found the two most heavily targeted Thurrock people receiving scam letters had been defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of pounds between them over the last few years.

Trading standards is working with the worst affected victims to try and reduce the amount of scam mail they receive and helping to educate them about the risks to themselves of responding.

Cllr Smith said: “When I saw the amount of scam mail over of these victims had received over the past couple of years I could hardly believe it. The team have many black bags literally bursting with scam mail.

“If you thing you could be a victim, or know of somebody who is, please act.”

People who may have sent money to a scammer or who fear they will – or people who know of somebody who may be vulnerable to the scammers should call 03454 040506 for free help and advice.