THE actual cost of scams perpetrated on innocent people amounts to billions of pounds but the human cost is far more.

Telephone, online, email and doorstep criminal scams are on the increase, and Poole Trading Standards is at the forefront of the fight to protect the town’s residents.

Frail and elderly residents who lose money to rogue traders or sophisticated scams often feel ashamed and vulnerable, and can be reluctant to own up to having been fooled.

James Norman, regulatory team manager at the Borough of Poole, said: “Scams are such that we have victims in Poole of 300 plus for scam mail alone. And these are the ones we know about.”

The details of these, mainly elderly, people have appeared on lists of repeat victims who have responded to scams in the past and are shared by fraudsters, meaning some victims are sent dozens or even hundreds of scam mails a day.

“Most scam mail originates abroad and it is therefore difficult to tackle,” said Mr Norman.

“We are doing all we can to catch UK-based scammers, contacting people on these lists to offer advice and support, and raise awareness in the community.”

Around £10 billion is lost by UK victims of phone and scam mail each year.

Last year, telephone scams were 38 per cent of all those reported, online 20 per cent, email 14 per cent and doorstep was 14 per cent.

Trading standards officer Andy Shimmen said: “These figures are always going to be under-reported. The best estimate is five per cent of scams get reported.”

And it is it's not just socially isolated 75-year-olds who become victims. Young job seekers aged 18 to 25 also fall victim to online scams, paying out an average £4,000 for security checks or training materials.

“Don’t be rushed, don’t be hushed,” is the message from Poole trading standards, which has had some success in putting rogue traders out of business, with five recent successful prosecutions.

With pensions the next big target of fraudsters the message is even more vital. The cost of pension scams was reported to be £490 million before the new regulations came in.

Cllr John Rampton, cabinet member for consumer protection, said: “No- one should feel ashamed of being scammed or suffer in silence.

“There is lots of support and advice available and we would urge you, or someone you know who has been a victim of a scam, to contact trading standards or the Citizens Advice Bureau.”

Poole Trading Standards has top tips to avoid scams, and can be contacted on 01202 261700 or report it online at poole.gov.uk/reportit.