Every year many people are conned into parting with their money by well-organised tricksters. Both consumers and businesses are targeted.

Doorstep crime

Trading Standards works actively to combat the doorstep criminals who try to part you from your money. There are two types of doorstep crime – distraction burglary and doorstep sales. It’s not just consumers who get conned – we know of many businesses who have fallen foul of rogue doorstep traders. Follow the links on the right to find out how to protect yourself from both of these.

How to spot a scam

It might be a letter, email, telephone call or text message. There are so many different types of scams, it’s difficult to list them all, but you can see many of them on the Consumer Direct website.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Was the offer unsolicited?
• Does it look too good to be true?
• Do I have to send money up front?
• Do I have to respond 'at once'?
• Do I have to make a purchase to win a prize?
• Do I have to ring a premium rate phone number?
• Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?
• Do I have to send the money to a PO Box number?
• Am I asked to keep it confidential?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’ then you may be the target of a scam.

Before you part with any money or send any personal details, take advice from Trading Standards or Consumer Direct.  The chances are, once you have sent money, you will never see it again.

See the links on the right for scams advice from Consumer Direct, the Office of Fair Trading and the Financial Services Authority. All of these are full of information and advice on the latest scams and how to avoid being caught out.