Nick Smith MP has welcomed news that scam mail could be consigned to the rubbish heap thanks to posties getting the power.

The Blaenau Gwent MP has been campaigning on the doorsteps of the borough as part of Age Cyrmu’s efforts to protect vulnerable members of society from fraudsters.

Now Royal Mail and Trading Standards have announced they will be joining forces to tackle scam mail.

It means posties will be getting in on the act, being trained to report scam mail and stop it doing any harm.

It will also be easier and more effective to cancel the contracts of companies that send fraudulent mail.

Speaking after the news, Mr Smith said it sent a message to the scammers who prey on the misery of others.

“This takes the shackles off of the poor postal worker who’s seen these flurries of junk mail but can’t do anything to stop it,” he said.

“If they know certain post is putting people at risk, they can now report it to the right people and stop it at the source.

“This is a massive step towards sparing people from the ravages of scams and hoaxes.”

Mr Smith has been handing out “no cold-calling” stickers and helping people to sign up to schemes to avoid unsolicited mail and phone calls since May’s Scams Awareness Month.

Age Cymru is the older people’s charity for Wales and its Campaigns Coordinator Gerry Keighley said:  “Age Cymru applauds Royal Mail and Trading Standards for joining forces to tackle scam mail.

“Scam mail is a big problem and victims can become entrapped into sending money frequently to scammers in the mistaken belief that they will win huge prizes that simply don’t exist.

“Other scammers – such as fake psychics, persuade vulnerable people to send money on the promise of health and happiness, while other hoaxers offer romance or profitable investments.”

 For information about the ‘Scams and swindles’ campaign, visit www.agecymru.org.uk