Don't let fraudsters trick you into further debt.

Day to day correspondance with your bank or loan providers is easy pickings for someone trying to steal your identity. It could be months before you find out - and £ thousands that have built up under your identity.

Unfortunately there are many people out there trying to cash in on other peoples generosity. As outlined below, they are not adverse to riding on the back of others misfortunes and they will not want to be caught. Be aware - don't let them catch you first.

Don't be a money laundering mule

What happens?

You receive a telephone call or e-mail, or might see an advert in the newspaper or on the internet.

The actual way they contact you, and the cover-story they use might vary but you'll be asked to receive a payment into your bank or building society account, take it out as cash, and then send it abroad using other means (such as a money-transfer service as offered in many high street shops). For helping out, you'll be offered a nice little commission (often 6-7%).

What's wrong with that?

There's no such thing as easy-money and you're probably helping criminals to launder money. Once the funds are taken out of your account as cash, they become almost impossible for the law enforcement agencies to trace.

By helping these fraudsters clean the dirty money you could be committing a serious criminal offence, and if the authorities don't believe your 'story' you could find yourselves in serious trouble with the law. If convicted by the Crown Court you could be sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and receive an unlimited fine. You could also be helping to swindle innocent victims of a variety of other scams (a typical example being 'phishing').

Who is targeted?

Anyone could find themselves acting as a mule because it looks to be low-risk and easy. Anyone on a low-income might be easily tempted – in particular students, who might have their details listed on recruitment websites or in chat-rooms.

How can I protect myself?

* Keep your Anti-spam software up to date. Many of these scams are initiated via 'Spam' – (the bombarding of users with e-mail using large automatic mailing lists). By keeping your anti spam software up to date you will be downloading the latest filters which can stop this type of spam.* Think carefully before parting with your cash! Is the deal you're being offered have an 'unofficial' feel to it? A business trying to dodge taxes by employing random strangers is unlikely to be on the right side of the law.

* Charity Appeals. Charities are registered organisations and rarely have problems distributing funds – you can check the status of a UK charity by looking them up on the Charity Commission's Register of Charities (opens in new window).

REMEMBER – If it sounds too good to true, it probably is!

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