Scams And Rip Offs archive

Scams And Rip Offs Archive

Published in December 2009

The ten biggest scams and rip-offs of 2009!

by John Fitzsimons | The recession has inspired sneaky scammers to be even more inventive in getting their hands on our cash. Here are the ten worst offenders.

10 ways to spot a scam

by Neil Faulkner | Here are the top 10 ways to spot a scam, according to you, the readers of lovemoney.com!

The top five sneakiest banking tricks

by Serena Cowdy | Have you been bitten by one of these banking bugbears? Act now and save money!

Don't get ripped off by boiler cover

by Rachel Robson | Rachel Robson takes a closer look at boiler cover and considers whether it's worth the money

The problem with recurring payments and a continuous payment authority

by Jane Baker | Find out how to avoid falling victim to this highly dubious practice.

This scam is more devious than you think

by Jane Baker | A third of people have been targeted by this scam. Here's how to make sure you don't fall for it.

Recurring payments

by Jane Baker | Find out how to avoid falling victim to this highly dubious practice.

The top three most dangerous phone scams

by Mark Adams | Homeowners have been targeted in a new scam where they receive phone calls from bogus firms promising Council Tax refunds. We uncover the worst telephone scams in circulation - and show you how to protect yourself.

This rip-off preys on your fears

by Rachel Wait | This massive rip-off preys on your fears that, unless you fork out hundreds of pounds, you will freeze to death this Christmas! Don't get sucked in - find out how to avoid this rip-off!

The scammers you cannot avoid

by John Fitzsimons | Millions of people have been unable to avoid these dodgy scammers, who target you even in the safety of your own home. Here's how to fight back.

Published in November 2009

The worst store card in Britain!

by Jane Baker | Find out why store cards are still one of the most expensive ways to pay for your Christmas shopping

This scam will ruin your Christmas

by Mark Adams | If you're shopping online this Christmas, watch out for this costly retail scam...

Watch out for this recruitment scam!

by Emma Lunn | If you’re on the job hunt and are considering signing up to a recruitment website, be careful.

Yet another massive rip-off!

by Cliff D'Arcy | Mortgage lenders have started fleecing borrowers by charging non-refundable booking fees nearing £1,000. Here's what to watch out for - and how to get your money back!

Beat this rising fraud threat

by Mark Adams | Hundreds of thousands of people have been exposed to this fraud this month. Protect yourself now - before it's too late....

The most consistent savings accounts

by Rachel Wait | If you don’t want to keep moving your savings around, but want your savings account to remain competitive, opting for consistency could be the answer...

Don't get ripped off in the gold rush!

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy explains everything you need to know about turning gold into cash.

Published in October 2009

The 10 best rip-offs in the world!

by Harvey Jones | Harvey Jones rounds up 10 of the most impressive rip-offs, and how you can avoid them.

Watch out for this debt rip-off

by Rachel Robson | Rachel Robson looks at one of the biggest debt rip-offs and explains how you can avoid it

Beware of this outrageous bank rip-off

by Jane Baker | This bank has changed its current account terms seemingly for the benefit of its customers, but it's just a sneaky rip-off.

Don't fall victim to this massive scam

by Jane Baker | Incidents of this scam have risen almost 20%. Check out these 18 ways to avoid becoming a victim.

Four rip-offs and how to get your money back!

by Mark Adams | If you've been caught out by one of these four common bank rip-offs, here's how to get your money back.

Free vs. paid-for TV: the pros and cons

by Alison Hunt | With analogue TV soon to be switched off everywhere, is it worth paying monthly for a TV package, or is it best to stick to the free option?

Good riddance to this £60m rip-off

by Cliff D'Arcy | If you got taken in by this rip-off, you can now get your share of £60 million in compensation. Cliff D'Arcy reports.

Avoid these sneaky travel rip-offs!

by Mark Adams | How to beat rip-off travel charges and fees.

The worst banking scam in Britain

by Jane Baker | Losses from this type of financial fraud are growing faster than any other scam. Find out how to protect yourself.

Watch out for this phone scam!

by John Fitzsimons | Half a million households a year fall victim to landline mis-selling – make sure you aren’t one of them!

Soapbox: Get the best out of store cards

by Ed Bowsher | Find out why Ed Bowsher hates store cards

Rip-off insurance: Get your share of £200m compensation

by Cliff D'Arcy | The financial watchdog is laying into lenders for unfairly rejecting complaints about payment protection. Almost £200 million could be handed back...

Published in September 2009

The seven biggest currency rip-offs

by Rachel Wait | With the pound continuing to weaken, here are the seven biggest currency rip-offs to watch out for - plus tips on how to make your money go further abroad.

Please stop this terrible property scam!

by John Fitzsimons | This property scam is now taking place under the 'careful' eye of the watchdog yet new regulation does little to protect vulnerable homeowners.

Spam, scams and cyber-crooks

by Cliff D’Arcy | This extremely nasty PC virus steals your online login details and then cleans out your accounts. Here's how to keep your money safe online.

Don’t buy this rip-off insurance!

by Rachel Wait | Find out why Rachel Robson believes mobile phone insurance is a waste of money...

Don’t get caught out by this new fraud

by John Fitzsimons | Fraudsters are always on the hunt for new ways to steal your identity. And their new technique involves your mobile phone.

Don’t fall foul of this big scam

by Christina Jordan | Christina Jordon explains how to make sure those tickets you've purchased online are completely legitimate

Another rip-off insurance to avoid

by Cliff D’Arcy | Car dealers don't just sell cars -- they also flog finance, insurance and other add-ons. Alas, one type of car insurance is terribly poor value...

Rip-off retailers: How to fight back!

by Serena Cowdy | Have you been ripped off by a retailer? Here are eight ways to protect yourself in the future.

Your two pence - The biggest financial rip-offs

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner looks at the biggest financial rip-offs and finds out whether you should trust your bank.

Soapbox – Extended warranties aren’t always bad

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher thinks that extended warranties are occasionally worth buying.

Eight of the worst financial tricks

by Neil Faulkner | We show you eight sneaky financial tricks that you should avoid at all costs!

Published in August 2009

Don't fall for these rip-off fads!

by Neil Faulkner | What do you really know about the food you eat and the creams you smear on yourself? Learn a little about them and save some money whilst you're at it!

Watch out for lenders' sneaky tricks!

by Neil Faulkner | We explain what APR is and why it isn't a reliable measure of the cost of loans, mortgages and credit cards.

Watch out for these five hard sell rip-offs!

by Serena Cowdy | Have you been pressurised into making bad financial decisions? Steer clear of these five hard sell scams!

Save now or face the consequences

by Harvey Jones | A frightening number of people are still refusing to accept the point of saving. Harvey Jones just can't understand it.

Three consumer rights myths exploded!

by Serena Cowdy | Many of us are mixed up about what our consumer rights really are. Serena Cowdy separates the fact from the fiction.

How to complain - and actually get your way!

by Anna Powell | Anna Powell got nowhere with a complaint to a retailer's customer service - until she tried this nifty trick and saved £180.

Soapbox - The worst holiday rip-offs

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons highlights the holiday rip offs that hit you hard in the pocket - and how to avoid them

The top 10 online scams

by Rachel Wait | If you’re a regular user of the internet, don’t get caught out by these ten online scams...

Watch out for these seven car insurance tricks!

by Alison Hunt | Insurers love to try and catch us out in a bid to secure our cash – take heed of these tips and you’ll be one step ahead.

Avoid these two sneaky airline rip-offs!

by Szu Ping Chan | Unreasonable airline debit and credit card fees and hefty baggage charges may seem unavoidable, but there are ways to dodge these rip-offs...

Published in July 2009

These five rip-offs should be banned next

by Serena Cowdy | Watch out for these five sneaky swindles...

Soapbox - Avoid this terrible rip-off!

by Jane Baker | Jane Baker has a rant about one of the worst ways to borrow cash.

Avoid this sneaky con

by John Fitzsimons | Don’t be fooled by firms offering to ‘buy’ your debt – it’s the latest scam in town.

Watch out for this massive scam

by John Fitzsimons | The watchdog knows all about this massive scam, but it's still doing nothing about it. John Fitzsimons asks: why not?

Published in June 2009

The ten worst financial tricks

by Rachel Wait | Get the lowdown on ten of the worst financial traps you need to keep your eye open for...

Soapbox - We need a credit card charter

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher attacks two of the biggest credit card rip-offs

How to complain when things go wrong

by Jane Baker | If you feel a financial company has treated you unfairly, don't stand for it. Follow our complete guide on how to complain.

Know your online shopping rights

by Jane Baker | Did you know shopping online gives you extra consumer protection? Find out how...

How to fight ID fraud

by John Fitzsimons | Identity theft is a growing problem, with certain people more at risk than others. Here’s how the fraudsters steal your money – and how to combat them.

Four fiendish rip-offs to watch out for!

by Alison Hunt | We all know banks need to make money, but must it be so blatantly at our expense?

Avoid these wedding cons

by John Fitzsimons | Almost all of us end up over budget when planning a wedding, thanks to extra costs that slip under the radar. John Fitzsimons explains where he has been caught out – and what to avoid.

The top ten worst scams ever!

by Rachel Wait | Rachel Wait gives the lowdown on ten of the UK’s most common swindles and rip-offs...

Don't be scammed!

by Neil Faulkner | Worried about being scammed? Find out your rights on how to fight back!

Published in May 2009

Got a complaint? Avoid this rip-off!

by John Fitzsimons | Increasing numbers of you are using claims management firms to complain on your behalf. Here’s why they are a rip-off – and what you should be doing instead.

The big Premier League rip-off

by John Fitzsimons | Watching top-flight football has rarely been so expensive. John Fitzsimons looks at which clubs offer value for money, and which are bleeding their fans dry.

Avoid this sneaky rip-off charge

by Emma Lunn | Credit card surcharges are becoming more common. Here's how to avoid them.

Don't be duped by these rip-off current accounts!

by Szu Ping Chan | Do you get suspicious when a bank offers you a 'fantastic package of benefits' to spice up a bog-standard current account?

Insurance essentials versus the rip-offs!

by Rachel Wait | Tougher times mean more of us are cutting back on insurance. So which insurance do you really need and which can you afford to lose?

Published in April 2009

Financial services? It’s a scandal

by Harvey Jones | Harvey Jones explains how to avoid becoming a victim of a financial services scandal.

Consumer (and landlord) rights are improving

by Neil Faulkner | A new court ruling is good news for consumers, landlords and potentially bank charges claimants too.

Published in March 2009

The most consistent cash ISAs

by Szu Ping Chan | Worried you'll open a 'best buy' ISA only for the rate to drop soon after? If you open one of these consistently competitive cash ISAs, you won't need to keep transferring your cash...

Avoid this expensive rip-off!

by Jane Baker | ID theft is a becoming a big concern for many of us. But insurance policies which protects against it are a waste of money.

An easy way to reclaim rip-off premiums

by Cliff D’Arcy | If you’re unhappy with an insurance policy sold alongside a loan, credit card or mortgage, then this online tool will file your complaint in five minutes!

How to spot a scam

by Cliff D’Arcy | As the economy worsens, more and more financial swindles will be exposed. We show you how to spot the tell-tale signs of a scam.

Avoid these insurance rip-offs!

by Serena Cowdy | Here's how to avoid paying over the odds for insurance - and still get the cover you need.

Four fiendish financial swindles

by Donna Ferguson | Find out which financial providers try to get their greedy mitts on your money in tricky, underhanded ways!

Published in February 2009

Rescue yourself from rip-off emergency repairs

by Donna Ferguson | The cheapest way to get cover for home emergency repairs - without paying for rip-off boiler breakdown insurance.

The hidden costs in everyday financial products

by Neil Faulkner | Banks take our money pennies at a time from a thousand different places.

Financial Rip-Offs That Get My Goat!

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy writes about four financial rip-offs.

Don’t Get Ripped Off By This Employment Scam!

by Rachel Wait | With unemployment figures on the rise, schemes claiming to offer big bucks to work from home are looking increasingly attractive. Here’s why they should be avoided.

Avoid Those Restaurant Rip-Offs

by Serena Cowdy | Are you looking forward to a special night out? Watch out for the restaurant rip-offs that could leave a nasty taste in your mouth.