Offline marketing fraud beats internet marketing scams

Print advertising is more likely that online forms of marketing to be a medium for fraudulent activity, according to new research.

A consumer survey by the Federal Trade Commission reveals that direct mail, flyers and advertisements in newspapers and magazines accounted for more attempts at fraudulent pitches that online marketing.

One in ten adults in the UK has been the victim of mass marketing fraud and over 3.2 million people have handed over cash after being approached by fraudsters by, letter or telephone as well as email.

The figures come amid mounting public discontent with levels of direct mail and the Serious Organised Crime Agency announced it will target the organised criminal gangs behind these frauds within the UK and abroad.

Officials report that already, they have seized fake cheques, postal orders and bank drafts exceeding the value of £8 million.

Mike Haley, from the Office of Fair Trading Head of Consumer Protection, said: "Scammers are always coming up with new ways to make money, and fake cheques are a useful weapon in their armoury.

"However much you want or need the cash that they promise, it"s important to be very wary about cheques you receive from people you don"t know - they could leave you much worse off in the end."

The Office of Fair Trading reports that the total cost of marketing scams is more than £3.5 billion every year.


© Adfero Ltd

Related Articles

• Offline marketing fraud beats internet marketing scams
• Information Commissioner backs PM"s review of data policy
• Marketers should integrate online with offline
• Green marketing becomes bigger industry force
• A third of marketers plan to use networking sites
• Opt out poses problems
• Ad spend and networking sites set to grow in 2008
• Over 50s tend to ignore email marketing, says new survey
• Social networking sites remain unpopular with marketing professionals
• Search marketing 'needs focus'

Search the archive