The older you become, the more liable you are to be taken in by scams.

Don’t jump up and down and say I'm discriminating against the aged - I'm old myself. It’s not because older people might be less aware, but simply because the longer we’re exposed to scams the more chance there is we’ll be taken in.

Scammers are getting more devious. It’s been judged that in the UK alone, 3 million a year fall prey to scams sent by post, email, text, or over the phone. Experts suggest the real figure is much higher because many may not inform the authorities about their losses owing to shame.

The problem is that often those most vulnerable are the ones least able to stand the loss. Something has to be done to stop these despicable scams. The only way is to spread information about how these contemptible people operate.

So which scams are most likely to catch people out?

One of the most common scams seems to be the bank scam. I must receive two emails a months from some ‘bank’ or other in the guise of being mine.

The patter is generally along the line of they’re updating their security system because of bank fraud. They say thay have a legal requirement to make sure information is up to date and need me to fill out my present details and email them to the return address as quickly as possible before the ‘fraudsters’ can move in.

The problem is, the email is very convincing, very professional – always seem to come from well-known quality banks – always worded very smoothly. Sometimes they even send reminders that I haven’t yet complied. The only thing is I bank with a small relatively unknown bank – so they’re on to a loser from the start.

Be warned, banks will NEVER ask for details over the Internet. They already have your details. If you need to update, visit your branch in person.

My friend was actually caught out with this scam. A small loop of tape (video or audio) was hidden inside an ATM (hole-in-the-wall) machine. When my friend inserted his bankcard, it became stuck.

A man on the next machine explained that it happened to him earlier in the week. He offered to fetch the manager whilst my friend watched the machine in case someone else came.

The smartly dressed ‘manager’ appeared, punched a few keys, shook his head, asked my friend for the PIN number, and attempted once more to get the card out of the machine. The ‘manager’ then announced that he would have to get the maintenance crew out and would return the card when it was freed.

Needless to say, my friend lost several hundred pounds.

In Spain, its a legal requirement to make sure the flexible tubes on gas equipment is up to date.

A regular scam is that a ‘gasman’ knocks at the door – full of badges and documents and seemingly correct licences. He wants to inspect the equipment. He looks grave and announces the equipment must be serviced immediately - and the cost is VERY high.

When they tried this on me, I rang my supplier and they told me to send the man away. NO LEGITIMATE person will knock at the door. YOU are the one responsible for requesting a visit, not the other way round

Over the years, I’ve received a few emails from people abroad, saying they have several million pounds they desperately need to transfer out of their country.

They’ve seen me on the Internet and believe me to be trustworthy, and suggest using my account to get the money out, for an agreed handling charge. All I have to do is let them have my bank details and they’ll transfer immediately.

No problem, except the transfer would be OUT of my funds, not into them.

Cash-strapped people looking for part-time work at home need to be very careful. These scams advertise "easy earnings" in return for cash. They distribute pamphlets advertising "easy earnings" ideas, or show potential for big rewards for packing goods – victims pack a quantity of goods but never see any earnings.

Scam tipsters, claiming to have inside information are offering racing ‘certainties’ in return for a fee. Except there’s no such thing as a certain winner, apart from those operating the scam.

Operators purchase land, partition it into building plots and market each plot by convincing victims that the land is about to be granted planning permission. Pressure is on because once planning permission is granted the price will rise sharply.

The land doesn’t get consent of course and all you're left with is low price land.

A typical pyramid scheme involves persuading people to invest small amounts of money into the ‘business’, and offer remuneration for each new convert they enlist.

For instance, you could be encouraged to invest $100 of your own money and asked to recruit five other sponsors who will pay you $100 each. You now have $500. The enticement for your new sponsors is that they are "allowed" to go out and recruit five other sponsors so they get $500 as well.

All the time, of course, the ‘business’ is taking cream because their name remains top on the list.

With this you are offered an "area monopoly" business idea in return for money for set-up charges. The spiel is something like "thousands of dollars a month without leaving the comfort of your armchair."

The proposal is usually nonsense and the instigator makes off with your money.