• PHONE SCAM - Fraudsters are texting people pretending to be a friend or family member & asking for money. The scammer explains the unknown number by saying they have damaged or lost their phone. Check by calling your friend or family on their old number, in case this new number is a scam.

• ASDA GIFT CARD SCAM - if you receive an unsolicited email asking you to click on a link and complete a survey in return for a £100 Promotional Gift Card, it is a scam. The link will simply take you to a website where scammers will steal your personal data and then use it to take out financial products or purchase goods using your data, with you ending up with an unexpected debt. If you receive an email like this, then please forward to report@phishing.gov.uk.

• WARRANTIES - Essex Trading Standards are warning residents of companies attempting to sell unnecessary insurance, warranty or care packages following a dramatic rise in cases. The products aren’t regulated or underwritten, often with restrictive terms and high excesses, and once bank or card details are obtained then the householder can find additional or higher payments taken.

• FAKE NATIONAL INSURANCE CALLS - are doing the rounds, saying your National Insurance number is being used for fraudulent purposes and asking you to press 1. This is similar to other unsolicited scam calls so DO NOT PRESS 1. Consider setting up a Call Blocking Service to prevent nuisance calls. Also register with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce such calls.

• PHONE CALLS FROM NUMBERS THAT LOOK FAMILIAR - numbers can be modified by scammers to appear to come from someone you know or a bank, government organisation etc. The calls impersonate well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies, and will ask the recipient of the call to “press 1” in order to speak with an advisor, or police officer, about unpaid fines or police warrants.

• E-MAIL ADDRESSES - can be modified to mask the real email address, see Identify Email Spoofing for advice on how to spot this.

• EMAIL AND TEXT scams use fake messages as bait to lure you into clicking on the links within their message, so that you give away your sensitive information.

• HOLIDAY BOOKINGS - Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated by either impersonating travel companies and flight comparison websites or advertising fake accommodation on legitimate sites. £2.2m was lost to holiday fraud last year - an average of £1,242 per victim.

• TRAVEL HEALTH COVER - scammers are charging people for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which is available free of charge. This card has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Free cards are available from here Apply for Global Health Insurance Card.

• SOCIAL MEDIA GAMES AND QUIZZES - some of these are designed to trick you into giving out information that could help criminals steal your identity or guess your passwords. Think seriously before you participate.

• DODGY APPS - Beware when downloading apps from both Apple and Google app stores that offer free trials then charge you exorbitant fees unless you cancel your subscription properly. Fleeceware is the new term coined for this scam.

• "SEXTORTION" EMAILS - citing a password you have used (usually an old one) and trying to get money by saying they know you have been viewing adult sites. Do not pay any money over, see How to respond in this Which? article.

• ROMANCE FRAUD - if you are tempted to use online dating sites be sure to see this BBC article on Dating Websites. Tricksters with fake profiles lure you in then start to ask for money.

• SPRAY FOAM ROOF INSULATION ISSUE - not a recognised fraud however this may be of interest to some members. One of our members asked if I would raise awareness of potential issues they personally experienced relating to spray foam roof insulation. If anyone has had this installed or is thinking about it be aware that there could be problems when coming to sell a property as a surveyor may find it difficult to inspect the condition of the roof and identify risks. This has led to buyers being unable to secure a mortgage or house insurance. Incorrect application of the foam can also be an issue, and removal of the foam can be very costly. If you have this type of insulation and have concerns you can read the full details here: Spray Foam Roof Insulation Issue

• Callers allegedly raising money for charity or other good causes.

• Claims that your Council Tax banding may have changed and you are due a refund.