Scams - how to protect yourself from scams and rip offs

There are dozens of types of scams. They might offer a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making scheme, claim you've had an unexpected win on a prize draw or lottery, or ask for your bank account details. The scams we see are aimed at businesses as well as consumers.

With the increase in email and text messaging, it is now possible to send unsolicited offers to thousands of people quickly and relatively cheaply. If enough offers are sent, even if only a tiny fraction of people reply, the scammers can make huge sums.

The letters, faxes and emails can seem very convincing and look professionally produced, but in our experience promotions of this kind, however they are distributed, are a dishonest attempt to trap you into parting with your money. Our advice to any consumer or business is to steer well clear of such schemes.

We have prepared some advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of a scam, including:

• how to spot a scam
• email scams
• prize draws and lotteries
• phishing (emails made to look like they are from a bank or credit card company, asking for personal details)
• domain name registration
• pyramid schemes

Follow the link on this page to find out more.