OFT issue scam guidelines

Advice is being issued to help people who may be susceptible to falling victim to con artists.

Every year the Office of Fair Trading receives hundreds of reports from people who have been contacted by scammers.

The types of fraud include lottery scams and dodgy investment schemes which can come in the form of texts, emails, phone calls and letters.

Although most of us are wise to these types of scam, there are people who are more easily swayed and vulnerable.

The OFT says there are warning signs to be on the lookout for. Did the offer come out of the blue? Do you have to make a purchase to win a prize? Have you been asked for bank or credit cards details? Or do you have to ring a premium rate phone number?

As always the main advice is, ‘if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.’

People who are worried about scams can contact the Office of Fair Trading for further help.