Crime and individuals
How to recognise a scam
This is a guide to help you recognise a scam and protect yourself from being conned out of your own money.
Title: How to recognise a scam - Is it too good to be true
Author: Office of Fair Trading
Date published: February 2005
Number of pages: 5
Availability: How to recognise a scam 
PDF 411 kb
A scam is when people con you out of cash. The people that run these scams are clever and know how to persuade you to part with your cash. However, conmen have the same things in common.
What are the characteristics of conmen?
They will:
catch you unaware, by phone, email, post or sometimes in person
sound polite, well spoken and want you to think they're your friend
have slick, professional leaflets and letters
be persistent and persuasive
rush you into making a decision
ask you to send money BEFORE you receive their tempting offer or prize.
How to spot a scam
They offer you something for nothing, such as:
winning a prize (even though you haven't entered)
an exclusive entry to a scheme that's guaranteed to make you money
a way to earn easy money by helping them get untold millions out of their country
the chance to join an investment scheme that will make you huge amounts of money.
There are hundreds of examples so the best way to protect yourself is to be sceptical of 'something for nothing' schemes.
They are likely to ask you to:
send them money up front
give them your bank details or other personal details
ring premium rate number (these numbers start with 090)
buy something to get your prize.
Don't send any money or give personal details until you have checked them out and talked to a professional or family and friends, If they ask you to do any of theses things they're trying to cover their tracks and its likely to be a scam.
Other things to look out for are if they:
ask you to send money straight away
give you a PO box number as their address
ask you not to tell anyone about the deal.
What to do if you have been scammed
If you have been a victim of a scam you should report the scam to one of the following:
your local police station
The Office of Fair Trading (tel: 0845 7224 499 or visit www.oft.gov.uk)
Financial Services Authority (tel: 0845 606 1234 or visit www.fsa.gov.uk)
your local trading standards department (see your local phone book or visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk)
your local Citizen's Advice Bureau (see your local phone book or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk).
Last update: Tuesday, January 22, 2008