Dear LPG,

I know it is a subject that has been covered before by LPG (►►►) but I would like to ask that our readers are reminded of a few details that may set off the alarm bells  if they have not recently been repeated occasionally.

I would ask our readers to take the time to read the following advice again…

How to avoid being victims of scams

Anybody could be a victim of scams. Such people target people of all ages, income levels and backgrounds. However, we can all follow these tips on how to protect ourselves so we don’t get caught out in the first place.

• Does it sound too good to be true? It might be a scam.
• Have you been offered a deal whether by phone, face to face or online? Don’t make decisions immediately. Think over the offer and ask an independent party for legal and financial advice. Don’t get confused by all those time limited offers, which are especially common online.
• Have you checked online? Try to find out whether some people have been scammed by these people or company before. The Internet can be a great tool.
• Are you aware of how important your bank details and personal information are? Only give that information to a person or companies that you really know and trust.
• Have you been asked to send money abroad? Never do that, even if it’s a small amount.
• Are you protecting your home address already? Tear up any documents that have your address and personal details before you throw them away, especially if they contain finance information.
• Have you ever received text messages on your phone from a number that you don’t know? Never reply to them and delete them immediately.
• When was the last time you updated your computer’s antivirus? You should always keep it up-to-date.

There is no magic formula to completely avoid the risk of being scammed, however, those tips might help you stay safer.

I hope that reading such advice every now and then will keep our readers alert to the devious ways that such scammers work. 

BC, New Cross