This segment was broadcast on 3 December 2015. Some information may be out of date.

Too good to be true?

Warning signs of a scam
  • Who are victims?
  • Warning signs
  • False friends — features that make you think you’re OK
  • What to do if you’re suspicious
  • What to do if you’ve been ripped off

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Mary Holm is a freelance journalist, a director of Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL), a seminar presenter and a bestselling author on personal finance. From 2011 to 2019 she was a founding director of the Financial Markets Authority. Her opinions are personal, and do not reflect the position of any organisation in which she holds office. Mary’s advice is of a general nature, and she is not responsible for any loss that any reader may suffer from following it.