The Campaign

The Think Jessica campaign team has been contacted by numerous individuals and organisations to help with severe cases of scam mail. Those who have been in touch include:

Relatives of “chronic” victims,
Postmen/woman,
Trading Standards,
Citizens Advice,
Age Concern,
Help the Aged,
MenCap,
Memory Clinics,
Banks/Building Societies.

All the parties above have reported cases of chronic victims who are emptying bank accounts and selling homes to keep up with the demands of criminals who befriend /trick & threaten them daily.

The campaign has a number of common sense objectives.

We believe the Postal Services act needs urgent revision to protect millions of vulnerable people from criminals who are having an easy and assisted passage into their homes, minds and bank accounts.

Our main aims are as follows:

Firstly:
To raise the public's awareness to the extent of the criminal mail problem in the U.K £3.5 billion is estimated as being lost to scams each year; however, only one in five cases are reported.

Secondly:
“Jessica’s Syndrome” to be recognised as a condition (Currently there is no help available from any agency or organisation other than “lip service”). As the law stands any intervention like redirection of mail or handing over power of attorney is not possible without the victim's consent.

Thirdly:

Many chronic victims are socially isolated or their families are unaware of the problem.
Research tells us that postal delivery workers easily recognise when someone is being targeted. Think Jessica would like to see a system in place where posties could sound an alarm: thus allowing help to be sent out.

All mail would still get delivered; but the “silent” victim could be provided with early professional help.
“Think Jessica” warning posters in Banks/Building Societies and other public places to raise awareness and deter scammers.

In the long term to bring about the introduction of legalisation to stop scammers hiding behind Mailing Addresses. In the UK it is easier to rent a mailing address than it is to rent a DVD!

The Fraud Act 2006 3 May 2007 – Malcolm Woolgar – Lloyd’s
The UK Fraud Act 2006 (”the Act”) came into force on 15 January 2007. The Act is a clearly written piece of legislation that should facilitate the investigation and prosecution of fraud in the UK. The following provides a brief summary of the key aspects of this legislation.

According to the Act, the offence of fraud can be committed in three ways:

False representation (section 2)
Failing to disclose information (section 3)
Abuse of position (section 4)

It is no longer necessary to prove that the victim was deceived: all that is required is to prove that the fraudster was dishonest in their behavior.

Would you like to sponsor Think Jessica and have your banner on our supporter's column? If so please contact us via our contact page.