If it seems to be to good to be true, then it usually is!

local stars

An unpleasant reality though it is, Con artists are coming up with ever-more clever ways to scam people out of their hard earned cash and every year local authority trading standards officers are coming up against new scams. Getting through to residents about the steps they need to take to avoid becoming a victim of scammers can be difficult but we have decided to try and reach vulnerable groups and particularly the elderly by rather unorthodox measures, namely – by dancing, singing and acting our way to success!

The council’s trading standards officers have teamed up with a local theatrical group, to stage two free musicals on Wednesday to make residents aware of the tactics and tricks used by con artists. As Clive Robinson, Trading Standards team leader, says it is essential that we get our messages out into the community, especially to our more vulnerable residents. In the past we have found this to be an effective, if somewhat unusual way of doing it.
Scammers will use any tactic they can to get hold of your money so we need to be ready to do everything we can to warn residents of their tricks.
The musical, entitled “To Good To Be True”, by Solomon Theatre Group, will focus on a group of retired friends who have been targeted by con artists. It will feature some of the top scams to hit Southampton, including rogue share sellers and aggressive door stop sellers.
Trading standards officers will introduce the plays, sing along to the music and will then be on hand at the end of the shows to answer questions and offer handy advice. These con artists prey on the most vulnerable members of society and I commend our trading standards team for thinking out side of the box to get their message out. The title of the musical is apt. If it seems to good to be true, then it usually is.
The first performance of “To Good To Be True” will take place at Methodist Church in Burgess Road, Southampton on Wed 7th October from 10am. The second will take place at the Holy Family Church Hall, Redbridge Hill from 2.15pm.