Famous Scams...
Below are our articles on the subject of Famous Scams. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
All About the Oxfam Scam
The Oxfam scam is an insidious variation on the lottery scam, but plays on the charity’s admirable reputation....
Are Women More Likely to Fall for Online Scams?
It might surprise you but the most likely people to be caught out online aren't the very young or old at all......
Auto-Dialling Scam
Auto dialling scam, how it works, how to make sure it doesn't happen to you and what to do if you have been scammed...
Avoid Getting Scammed Abroad: Protect Yourself!
Don't be caught out by common errors when you're relaxed and on holiday....
Avoiding Currency Exchange Scams
Don't let unscrupulous scam artists steal your money on holiday!...
Baby Boomer and Pensioner Scams
Baby boomers and seniors can easily be the victims of financial scams as they seek to invest for retirement....
Bank Charge Scam
You might well have paid excessive charges to your bank. The good news is that you can claim the money back - and even take them to court....
Bank Identification or BIN numbers Scam
Scammers have easy access to the Bank Identification Numbers on cards, and it's a simple step from there to trick people into revealing more details....
Booking a Villa or Apartment That Doesn't Exist
Renting a villa online? Don't get caught out - sometimes they don't exist!...
Builder's Scams
Every year there are over 100,000 complaints about cowboy builders in the U.K. We give you tips to stop you being one of their victims....
Bus Accident Scam
The bus accident scam offers an insidious variation on crash for cash, involving many more people and claims for unprovable injuries....
Business Identity Theft: What is it and How Can I Avoid It?
If the scammers can't get you at home, they will target your business! How to avoid corporate identity theft....
Business Loan Offer: Are We Being Scammed?
Could the offer of a business loan that seems too good to be true actually be legitimate, or is it a scam?...
Business Publishing Scams
Scammers will target businesses to be included in directories. This article will help you identify and avoid the fakes....
Call-Tag Scam and Re-Shippers
Call-tag scam and re-shippers, how they work, how to prevent them and what to do if you have been scammed....
Can I Obtain a Prescription Elsewhere other Than Through my Doctor?
You can order drugs online without a doctor’s prescription, but what are you really getting?...
Card Not Present Fraud
Card not present fraud cost millions of pounds each year. We show you how to make sure you're not a victim....
Card Skimming Fraud
Card skimming fraud copies your card details and PIN. It's used by criminals to rob your bank account....
Career Opportunity Scam
You might have dream of a new career, publishing or book or finding a job that gives you more freedom. But watch out for the career opportunity scams....
Chain Mail Scam
Chain mail scam, what is chain mail and what to do about them,...
Charity Donation Scams
Charities do wonderful work, but the scammers try and exploit those who want to give. We help you make sure your donations go to the right place....
Charity Publications Scam: A Case Study
How one small business narrowly avoided being 'charity scammed'...
Charity Scams: Household Collections
Many people each year are duped by fake charity collections. We show you how to avoid the crooks and make sure your donations really go to a good cause....
Cheque Scams
Cheques are a common form of payment. This article looks at the types of cheque scams and how to avoid being a victim of them....
Click Fraud
Pay per click advertising is the most prevalent form of advertising on the Internet. But it's subject to a lot of fraud. We show you how to avoid being a victim....
Concert Ticket Scam
There's been a scam with concert tickets, where people pay well over the odds but never receive the tickets they've paid for. We show you how to avoid being scammed....
Congestion Charge Scam
As technology improves so do the innovative ways that scammers use to get money out of unsuspecting people who are using that technology. Transport for London, the office that deals with the London co...
Counterfeit Software
Counterfeit software, how it works, what it means, how to identify counterfeit software and how to avoid beng scammed...
Counterfeit Web Pages
Counterfeit web pages, how they work and how to avoid being scammed by a counterfeit web page....
Coupon Codes and Social Networking Scams
If you want to find bargains on your shopping - avoid Facebook and Twitter coupons unless you want to lose your cash!...
Credit Card Cramming
Credit card cramming is an insidious, niggling fraud. But it often goes undetected and makes millions for crooks....
Credit Repair Scam
Credit repair scam, how it works, how to identify a credit repair scam and steps to take to repair your credit rating...
Cybercheating
Cyber cheating is big business, whether it's pre-written papers or those written to order. It's subverting the education system, and this is how it happens....
Delivery Service Scam
As if fake calling card scams weren't bad enough - now there are hoax warning emails too!...
Dialling Premium Rate Phone Lines to Claim Non-Existent Prizes
The premium-rate phone call promising a non-existent prize isn’t a new scam, but it remains big and very lucrative – for the scammers....
Domain Name Registration & Renewal Scams
If you don't know the score with domain names, you could get caught out by one of these scams....
EBay Auto Scams
Internet auctions have become one of the biggest shopping venues for used cars. EBay. Whilst most transactions go smoothly, you need to be alert and aware of the dangers....
Ebay Billing Scam
A new variation on the phishing scam involves a mail from EBay saying your card has been declined....
Ebay Buy and Switch Scam
The EBay buy and switch scam is a variant of an old mail order trick. It's sly, and very difficult to detect. Here's what to watch for....
EBay Escrow Scams
The use of escrow has become more common for high-ticket items on EBay. It acts as a safeguard for both buyer and seller. But, inevitably, with the rise of escrow as a service, there have been a numbe...
EBay Feedback Scam
EBay traders rely not only on their goods, but their feedback reputation. But unscrupulous dealers manipulate their feedback to gain trust before ripping off trusting buyers and sellers on high-end go...
Ebay Second Chance Scam
One of the most prevalent frauds on EBay is the second-chance scam. We show you how to identify it and avoid being a victim....
Email Scam: Phishing
Have you ever received an e-mail from company that began, "We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account" or "During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information"...
Email Viruses
Whilst not a scam in the strictest sense, there's still a strong element of the con about the way a virus is installed on your computer. The damage they can do is huge, clogging networks, destroying f...
Employee Fraud: A Scam from Inside the Business?
You don't want to believe that your employees could be scamming you - but they could!...
Fake Lottery Scam
The fake lottery scam has been around a long time, but lately it's developed a new wrinkle. We show you how to avoid being a victim....
Fake Tax Experts
You need to watch out for all those who claim to give tax advice that can save you hundreds – often it can cost you far more!...
Fake Virus Protection Scams
If you're at all concerned about computer viruses, don't be taken in by this scam......
Faking the Dead
Stealing the identities of the dead has become the fastest-growing type of identity theft. It now costs millions each year and causes distress for the families of the bereaved....
Free Mobile Phone Scam
A subtle new scam promises a new mobile phone and free calling. But if you fall for it, you can leave yourself open to identity theft....
High Risk Investment Scams
High-risk investments can bring the large rewards that tempt investors. However, at times those juicy investments will be nothing more than scams....
HM Revenue and Custom Scam
Everyone loves the idea of a tax refund. But beware of e-mails claiming that you’re owed one – they’re fake....
HMRC Data Loss Scandal
The HMRC data loss scandal sent out an alert about the need to be more careful with personal details....
HMRC Self Assessment: Phishing Scam
You might receive an e-mail from HMRC saying you’re entitled to a tax refund and directing you to a site where you can give your banking details. Beware, it’s a scam....
Holiday Club Scam
Holiday club scams have been proliferating and ripping off the public. We show you how to avoid them....
Holiday Scams
Your holiday should be relaxing - but there's never a holiday for scammers. We show you how to avoid their most popular holiday tricks....
How Can I Delete My Profile From Dating Site?
What problems should you be aware of with dating site?...
How Do I Establish if a Bank is Legitimate?
How do you find out if a bank offering high rates of return is legitimate?...
How to Protect Your Business from Scammers
Scams are big business - here's how to protect yours....
Identity Theft and How to Prevent it
Whilst it's impossible to completely stop the possibility of identity theft - sometimes the factors are far beyond your control - you can lessen the likelihood of it happening to you and your family....
Insurance Payout Scams
We all believe insurance will cover us in the event of a problem. But health insurers reject one in five claims....
Insurance Sales Scams
We all need insurance, for our homes, possessions, car and for ourselves. But making sure we have the right insurance can be a minefield...
Is This a Scam to Get Money?
Should you send money to an African who wants to get gold out of his country, or is this just a scam?...
Job Hunter Scam
If you’re posting your CV online and get a response that asks you to register at an interested company’s web site, be careful; it could be a scam....
Life on the Moon Scam
Was the 1969 moon landing a scam - there are a number of people who believe it was all faked....
Losing it all at the ATM
A new, very basic scam can rob you of your cash and card at the ATM....
Malware Scam
There are scams that persuade you to open e-mail attachments. The problem is that the attachment contains a virus that infects your computer and can lead to identity theft....
Martin Frankel: Master Scammer
Martin Frankel seemed an unlikely scammer, but he still managed to perpetrate a fraud worth over $200 million in the US....
Matrix Scam
The matrix scheme is a relatively new scam. This variant on the pyramid scheme makes money for the scammers only....
Mechanic Bill-Padding Scam
When you take your car in and discover it needs more work than you expected, it's a shock. We show you how to avoid the scam of a padded bill....
Mobile Phone Scams
Mobile phones are open to a number of scams. We explain them and show you how to avoid them....
Mobile Phone Scams: More Common Than PC Scams
Fraudsters are increasingly turning to mobile phones to make money from unsuspecting users - and phone operators....
Music Lessons Scam
If you're a private music teacher, you need to be aware of a scam that's doing the rounds which could end up costing you money. It's a neat, very specific little twist on a common advance pay scam, ...
Mystery Shopper Scam
The mystery shopper scam is a clever variant on a couple of other scams that can end up taking you for quite a bit of money....
New Online Security Advice from Google and Citizens Advice
With more and more people worrying about security issues online, Google and Citizens Advice have launched a useful website with security tips....
Office of Government Commerce Scam
Businesses can be scammed, too, and one involving the Office of Government Contracts can be particularly nasty....
Offshore Investment Scam
Offshore investments used to be the province of the rich. These days, sadly, they're often the lair of the scam artist, eager to take your hard-earned savings....
Online Dating Fraud
Not only are there the usual pitfalls of relationships, but you also have to deal with online dating fraud. No one can help with love, but some care can eliminate the other problems...
Online Pharmacies
Anyone with an e-mail account has probably had many spam offerings trying to sell them Viagra or other drugs at cheap prices. Although not always a proper scam - most sites do deliver a product - it c...
Organic Food Scam
Organic food is a growing market as people think more about their health. But is the food you're buying really organic - or are you being scammed?...
Paying a Company to Get Debts Written Off?
There’s been a lot of talk lately about companies exploiting a loophole to help you write off credit card debt for a fee. Is it real?...
Pharming Scam
Pharming is related to phishing, but far more insidious. Often it can be difficult to tell you’ve been scammed....
Ponzi Scheme
The Ponzi scheme has been around a long time, but it's still working. We show you how to avoid being a victim...
Price Fixing Scams: What's Being Done to Protect Consumers?
Tired of sales that go on all year but don't actually seem to contain any bargains? So is the Office of Fair Trading....
Prime Bank Guarantee Scam
The prime bank guarantee scam is a complex financial web that makes people think they'll make a lot of money. In fact people stand to lose thousands....
Property Scam
Some people make millions out of property - why shouldn't you be one of them? But all too often, those property courses are nothing more than a scam....
Psychic Scam
People consult psychics regularly. But many people are also scammed by them. We help you keep your money....
Pyramid Schemes
Pyramid schemes are old cons, but these days they're all over the Internet. What is the scheme, how do you recogise it and how do you avoid being scammed?...
Quiz Show Fraud
Quiz shows had always had the possibility of being fixed - either a fraud by the producers or the contestants....
Safe Travel Gigolos
The gigolo is a fact of life. These days some women take a holiday to search for one. But there are ways of being safe....
Scammed by a Holiday Romance?
It's all part of the fun, but don't think a holiday romance with a local is always what it's cracked up to be!...
Scammers Who Cash in on Disasters
It's sick but there are people who stand to make money from natural or man-made disasters....
Scams And Seniors
Seniors are prime targets for scammers. These are some of their main tricks - and how to avoid them....
Sky TV Scam
There's a clever two-part scam that's been targeting subscribers to Sky TV, but it could easily extend to many subscription services....
Slimming Products Scams
The slimming aid market is worth billions annually. But it's also full of scammers promising the moon. We show you how to avoid them on the road to a lighter you....
Small Business Scam
Not long ago a photographer received an e-mail enquiry about recording a wedding and reception. The person making the request purported to be from the U.K. and working in New Zealand for a constructio...
Small Businesses and Online Scams: Facts and Figures
You might be surprised at the number of businesses that fall prey to scams!...
Staged Car Accident Scam
There has been an increase in the number of staged motor accidents in the U.K. We tell you how to avoid them, and what steps to take if you become a victim....
Stock Tip Scams: Pump and Dump
The Internet age has seen a number of stock tip scams, one of the biggest an update on an old favourite - pump and dump....
Stolen Identity: What To Do
Identity theft can wreak havoc on your personal finances and working your way through the tangles that follows identity theft isn't easy, taking up to 300 hours of work to clear your name. These tips ...
Telephone Scam: 070
A new variant on the lottery scam tries to establish trust by having an 070 number you can call. But beware, you can still lose the money in your bank account....
The #90 and other Mobile Phone Scams
We've mentioned the 0906 mobile phone scam in a previous article, and there are a few more mobile phone scams going around recently which have been widely reported.
Here are the details:
The #90 ...
The Bogus Travel Companies and How to Avoid Them
You've looked forward to your holiday all year - don't let scammers take it away from you!...
The Boiler Room Scam: Bogus Stocks and Shares
If you're offered a deal on shares that sounds too good to be true - it is!...
The Church Con
Con men come at you in many ways. Just because someone worships at the same place as you doesn’t automatically make them trustworthy....
The 'Coca Cola' Scam and Other Facebook Menaces
Watch your Facebook friends, things may not be all that they appear......
The Floodlight Failure Betting Scam
The floodlight failure scam was an elegantly simple idea to fix English football matches and make millions for a betting syndicate in Malaysia...
The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower
It might seem unlikely, but Victor Lustig perpetrated which might be the ultimate scam - he sold the Eiffel Tower....
The Nigerian Advance-Fee Fraud
The Nigerian Scam, also known as "advance-fee" fraud or simply 419 (for its statute in the Nigerian criminal code). It began by letter in the early 1980s, before moving to faxes and then e-mail....
The 'Protected Trademarks' Scam
Have you received a letter offering to help you register or protect a patent or trademark? It could be a scam....
Timeshare Property Scam
Every year thousands of people invest in timeshares, Alot of them are scammed. We show you how to avoid the scammers....
Top Christmas Scams to Avoid
The scammers are out to get you when you're online at Christmas!...
Unscrupulous Dog Breeders
Sadly not every dog breeder is as honest or as caring, of our canine friends as we would wish them to be. Pedigree puppies can fetch high sums of money and people less honest than normal will exploit ...
Used Car Scam
Buying a car is always a major transaction, and one in three used car sales can be subject to fraud. We help you avoid the scammers....
Visa Credit Card Scam
A very plausible phone scam involves purchases supposedly made on your credit card, although it’s simply intended to convince you to divulge the card’s security code – after which the real scam begins...
Vishing Scam
This is a new variant on the phishing scam, where a link directs you to a phone number. Welcome to vishing – or voice phishing....
What is a Sucker List?
Would you believe that there is a trade in lists of people gullible enough to fall for scams?...
What is Spyware?
Spyware has become one of the most pervasive Internet threats today. Without your knowledge it can not only ruin your computer, but also your life....
Whiplash Scam or Honest Claim
Whiplash is a common injury but are all insurance claims legitimate?...
Wi-fi Evil Twin Scam
The wi-fi evil twin scam is clever and insidious, setting up by a commercial wireless access hotspot to harvest your data....
Winter Related Doorstep Scams and What to Avoid
What to look out for on the doorstep this winter....
Work from Home Scams
The idea of working from home can be very attractive. There's no long commute, you can work the hours you want, and if you believe the spam e-mails that land in your inbox, you can make a very good in...