BEWARE the scammers and conmen.

Scams are schemes to con people out of money and each year £3.5 billion is lost to them.

Scams are crimes and there are hundreds of them : fake lotteries / parcel deliveries / banking scams / fake lotteries and prize draws / bogus health cures / dodgy investment schemes / pyramid selling and fake websites to name just a few.

They come in a variety of ways via post, email, online and visits to your home.

If you think you have been scammed or someone has tried to scam you, there are a number of things you can do:

• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

• Get advice – the Citizens Advice Consumer Service 08454 04 05 06 can provide advice and pass details of rogue traders to Trading Standards

• Tell someone – tip off a friend, neighbour or relative about any scams you become aware of.

Scammers are using increasingly ingenious ways to con the public, including contacting individuals and pretending to be from one of the agencies above and requesting money or bank details in order to release funds recovered from scammers. Sometimes the Agency’s genuine number can be displayed on the caller ID.

Remember the genuine Agencies would never contact you to make these requests.

More information on scams and sources of help can be found on the CAB website www.adviceguide.org.uk

For further information and advice, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau:

Your local bureau – South Worcestershire Citizens Advice Bureau at Malvern Heights, Chequers Close, Enigma Business Park, Malvern, WR14 1BF is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-4p, Wednesday (Specialist Debt Advice - by appointment). Tel: 01684 563611.