1. Dodgy Motor (Auto) Traders
   THE CON: Cut and shut - Parts of written off or crashed cars are welded together. Ringers - stolen cars with disguised identities. Clocking - winding back the mileage to increase the price. Clones - thieves 'steal' a car's vehicle identification number (VIN), note it's number plate and put them on a stolen car.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: Check all the car's documents and have the AA or RAC examine the vehicle. Ensure that the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), found on the engine, matches that in the log book. The AA Used Car Data Check will reveal if the car is 'dodgy'. The check costs £31 or £27.50 for AA members.

2. Bogus Callers.
   THE CON: Bogus meter readers gain entrance to a home and divert the owner's attention while an accomplice searches for valuables.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: Study the callers identity card. If suspicious, don't let them in and call the police.

3. Premium Line scams.
   THE CON: You receive a mailshot saying you've won a prize. To find out what it is, you have to dial a premium line number costing £1 per minute.

   DON'T CALL FOR IT: Often prizes aren't worth the money you will spend on the phone call. Call the phone services watchdog ICSTIS (0800 500 212), which can pull the plug on bogus lines.

4. Roofing.
   THE CON: A builder will knock and say some tiles/Slates are missing from your roof. He'll do the job quickly - for CASH.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: He'll take the money and scarper. For reputable roofers, ring the National Association of Roofing Contractors (020 7436 0387).

5. Timeshares.
   THE CON: Unscrupulous timeshare holiday clubs bypass existing laws by offering short-term, 35 month contracts. There is a hefty annual fee and the company often has difficulty for the last two years.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: Insist on a reputable company. Ring the Timeshare Helpline (020 8296 0900) or the Timeshare Consumers Association (01909 591100).

6. Working From Home.
   THE CON: You see a card in a window asking you to send off £25 to cover the cost of setting up as a homeworker, stuffing envelopes.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: You'll be instructed to put the same card in other newsagents to get people to send you money. You'll never recoup your cash. Call your local council's Trading Standards Office for advice.

7. The Show Home.
   THE CON: A company offers you a new discounted kitchen. In return they ask to use the room to show potential clients around later.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: Showing people around is a red herring. Usually no-one turns up. It distracts from the fact that you are not getting a discount at all - it's probably worth less than you paid for it.

8. Pyramid Selling.
   THE CON: People at the top of the 'pyramid' recruit others to sell products on their behalf and to take a percentage of their profits. But the new recruits have to pay for the goods and as the market becomes saturated, you are left with unwanted stock, resulting in a loss. "Alladvantage" is a classic Web example of a pyramid.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: There are reputable multi-level marketing companies such as Avon which make their money by selling quality goods.

9. Cowboy Builders.
   THE CON: They offer to resurface the drive, claiming to have extra tarmac from another job. They can do it there and then - for cash.

   DON'T FALL FOR IT: The tarmac runs out, they go for more and that's the last you see of them. Insist on references and don't pay up front.

10. Chain Letters.
    THE CON: You get a letter telling you to send £5 to the top 10 names on the enclosed list, add your name to the bottom, send it on and you'll soon be getting lots of cash through the door. This is becoming more prevalent in e-mail now!

    DON'T FALL FOR IT: Bin the letter. You won't see a penny.

11. Mystery Prizes.
    THE CON: A letter says you've won a mystery prize. To claim it, turn up at a reception. Once there, you find you are one of many. To qualify for the prize, you have to buy what they're selling.

    DON'T FALL FOR IT: Chuck the letter in the bin - nothing's for nothing.

12. Be a Millionaire.
    THE CON: An advertt tells the story of a man who made his fortune with an amazing idea. He'll share his secret with you - IF you send him money. Seen this in your e-mail lately?

    DON'T FALL FOR IT: You'll get a letter advising you to place an advert just like the one you replied to!

I cannot make promises, but if I can find more along this vein, I'll add them here! It's not too often I come across such little gems as this. (Axiompc).