TRADING stand-ards officers in Gwent are supporting a major cam-paign to help consumers spot mo-ney-making scams.

The month-long campaign aims to prevent fraudsters earning millions of pounds from unsuspecting members of the public.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has joined forces with trading standards departments, the police, charities and neighbourhood watch schemes in the hope of educating people about mass-marketed scams they receive via email, post or telephone.

More than half a million leaflets and posters containing advice on how to recognise and guard against scams will be distributed through libraries, community groups, police stations and door-to-door.

Trading standards officers say most scams have common elements, designed to hook victims. And organised criminal gangs, using highly sophisticated techniques, are often behind the scams.

The OFT campaign identifies the elements shared by a variety of scams, including fake lotteries and prize draws, pyramid or investment schemes.

Penny Boys, OFT executive director, said: "We named the top ten scams targeted at UK consumers but next year, there will be new frauds and swindles. Our campaign aims to equip consumers with the skills and knowledge to recognise scams, whatever their form, and so prevent themselves and others from falling victim."

Councillor Hedley McCarthy, Blaenau Gwent council's executive member for environmental services, said: "Too many people are ripped off by scams, losing money and unintentionally lining the pockets of these crooks."

Contact trading standards, Citizens Advice Bureaux, police station or the OFT for advice.