Scam mail training

LOCAL postmen and women have attended a training session to help them prevent vulnerable residents becoming victims of organised international fraudsters.

The training, hosted by Shetland Islands Council’s trading standards team, was part of a wider initiative between Royal Mail and the National Trading Standards Scams Team.

Bob Ash, lead criminal intelligence manager with Royal Mail, said: “We do not want our postmen or women handling or delivering mail that causes harm.

“Royal Mail will work closely with the National Trading Standards Scams Team to identify and stop scam mail wherever we can.”

Shetland trading standards team leader David Marsh said: “Scam mail is a blight on communities, and we welcome this partnership between Trading Standards and business to protect vulnerable consumers.

“Scammers deliberately target the vulnerable – so we must ensure people get the protection they need.”

Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said the UK Government had recently announced plans to strengthen the law to protect people against nuisance phone calls.

“I am keen to see more consumer protection for vulnerable older residents in the isles, so this initiative from Shetland Islands Council is a welcome step,” he said.