Newbury Sound spoke to Kevin Thompson from West Berkshire Trading Standards to find out more about how to beat the scammers associated with Foreign Money Offers and Advance Fee Scames as part of Scamnesty Month.

To listen to the report, click play.

What it is:

In a letter or email, you might be offered a large sum of money in return for your help to get money out of a foreign country. The scammers use the information you give them to empty your bank account, or to convince you to send them money upfront.

Ads offering fast loans regardless of your credit history can be another type of advance fee fraud. You may be asked to pay money up front in order to release money to you, which you may never see.

Most likely approach:

Letter, email, fax and newpaper ads.

How to protect yourself:

Stop, think and be sceptical. Why does somebody you don't know want you to send them money upfront? Why should you trust them? Never give your bank details to people you don't know.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam, or suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Consumer Direct website by clicking here.