Before making any purchase it is always worth considering exactly what you are looking to buy, whether you can afford it and then shopping around to make sure that you will get the best price.

It is often impluse buys that can make consumers vulnerable to getting ripped off by rogue traders.

Further advice on the areas to think about before you make a purchase can be accessed using the 'Pre-shopping advice' link on the right hand side.

Each year in the UK, consumers lose money to a range of rogue traders, who exploit a range of marketing techniques such as doorstep selling, e-mail, telephone, and post.

This page highlights 3 of our most common rip-offs and helps you to be aware of the range of tactics and that rogue traders may use to encourage you to buy their products or services.

Scams
Scams remain a significant problem and source of irritation to consumers. The main scams currently in operation include:

• unexpected lottery prizes
• bogus charity collections 
• you have a parcel awaiting delivery...

Consumers who receive mailings, emails or telephone calls that appear to be scams are urged NOT to respond. Once companies know that someone at your address is replying, they will just send more and more scams to you’

For further information and advice, please use the 'Scams' link on the right hand side.

Doorstep selling
Each year Trading Standards receives a large number of complaints from people who have made mistakes when dealing with doorstep sellers. These mistakes sometimes involve many thousands of pounds.

Doorstep and telephone sales people will try all of these techniques as an introduction. They may be trying to sell goods or services you don't want or need.

For further information and advice, please use the 'Doorstep Selling' link on the right hand side.

Counterfeit goods
Counterfeit (fake) goods is big business, supported by terrorist organisations. It is estimated the cost to legitimate UK business is £150 million pounds a year and rising.

Everything can be counterfeited including:

• Branded clothing
• Cigarettes
• Computer games
• DVD’s

Counterfeit goods put public safety at risk. By their very nature, fake goods are produced very cheaply and are not subject to the rigorous testing procedures that reputable manufacturers are required to carry out on their products. Serious injury and even death has been caused by counterfeit alcohol.

For further information and advice, please use the 'Counterfeit Goods' link on the right hand side.