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Most common fraud scams to watch out for
By Sophie Christie | Telegraph – 21 hours ago

Almost three quarters of Britons have experienced some type of fraud attempt, according to First Direct. Here are the top five most common scams to watch out for.

The survey conducted by First Direct also found that 55pc of those who had experienced fraud had been targeted online, yet this hadn't appeared to affect consumers as 80pc said they would still purchase online, with 70pc still banking online.

Over 55s were contacted by fraudsters most, while four in 10 of those aged 16 to 24 said they had never experienced a scam attempt.

Most common types of fraud
1. Fake emails: 53pc of frauds were conducted via fake emails claiming to be from a bank requesting personal information, like Pin numbers and account login details.
2. Advance-fee frauds: Advance-fee frauds make up 29pc of the most regular scams committed. Scammers send emails and letters to victims asking for a certain amount of money in order to secure a larger sum.
The Nigerian 419 scam is a common example of this the "419" refers to the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with fraud.
3. Impostor phone calls: Impostor phone calls ( 23pc of the most common types of fraud) claiming to be from well-known organisations, such as broadband providers or software firms. An incident of this was reported recently when an elderly gentleman was conned out of £121 after being targeted by scammers posing as Microsoft.
4. Debit card fraud: Debit card fraud duplicating one or more of your bank cards, makes up 14pc of the most regularly seen types of fraud.
5. Fake lotteries: Fake lotteries also account for 14pc of the most common types of fraud. Victims receive emails notifying them of a large sum of money won in a lottery. Recipients of the scam are often told to contact a 'claims agent' to whom they will pay 'processing fees' or 'transfer charges' in order for the winnings to be paid.

What to do if you have become a victim of fraud

• Change the passwords to your computer, email and any financial accounts, especially bank and credit cards.

• Scan your computer to see if rogue software has been installed.

• Contact your bank and credit card companies if you think your details may be at risk. Ask them to freeze the account and issue a new card.

• If you have lost money to card fraud contact Action Fraud and get a crime reference number. This will help pursue a claim with your bank for lost funds. See actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Natural remedies for common conditions

Toothache
Vanilla extract rubbed on the gums can help.

Cure a headache
Try watermelon juice. Fresh juice is best. Aim for 2 glasses a day.

Calm bites and stings
Infuse cider vinegar with sprigs of rosemary or thyme and apply to the spot.

Relieve coughing
Sprinkle 1 tsp of turmeric into a bowl of boiling water and stir. Breathe in the steam for several minutes

Reduce stress
Sunflower seeds and alfalfa can help.

Sore neck
Fill a sock with a cup of uncooked rice and tie a knot in the end. Heat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds on a medium heat. Apply for 5-10 mins.

Restful sleep
Add 1 tsp honey to a late-night herbal tea (try valerian, available in health shops) or in warm milk to ensure that you wake rested.

Puffy eyes
Spritz eyes with water. Put thick slices of raw potato on eyelids. Leave for 10 mins.

Herbal mouthwash
Mix 1 tsp each of dried rosemary, dried mint and fennel seeds with 2-3 cups of boiling water. Steep for 15-20 mins, cool, cover and store in the fridge for 3-5 days

Get off to sleep
Have half a turkey and lettuce sandwich made with wholemeal bread before bed. High levels of the chemical trytophan, which is found in turkey, is thought to increase feel-good serotonin levels and aid sleep.

Lower a temperature
Add 1 tsp dried sage to a cup, pour over boiling water and steep for 5 mins. Drink several times a day.

Reduce a fever
Crush 10g raisins with 10g freshly sliced ginger and mix with 200ml water. Stand for an hour, then boil to reduce by 3 quarters. Drink once or twice a day until fever reduces.

Burned your tounge?
Immediately sprinkle granulated sugar on it - the sugar absorbs the heat.

Indigestion
Finish meals with 125ml of fresh pineapple juice to combat indigestion.

Natural anti-inflamatory and analgesic
Mash papaya and apply directly to the wound

For sprains and bruises
Mould a bag of frozen peas around the body part. Wrap the bags in a tea towel to prevent ice burn.

Ease cystitis
Okra (lady's fingers) and spinach can both be useful against cystitis. Eat lightly cooked and pulped.

Wrist and ankle sprains
Smear olive oil around the sprain and apply whisked egg yolk. Wrap in cotton wool and bandage at once.

For a cold
Make chicken soup, including onions, sage and garlic. Have a bowl or cup twice a day while you have a cold.

Sore gums
Cut a ripe fig in half and hold it between your cheek and sore gum for 10 mins.

Easy breathing
Place some fresh thyme in a bowl and add boiling water. Then cover your head with a towel and breathe in the fumes.

Sore throats
Add 1/2 peeled onion to a jar of honey, close tightly and leave for at least three days. Take a teaspoon every few hours next time you have a sore throat.

Reduce arthritis
Mix carrot and lemon juice in equal amounts and take a tbsp every day.

Suppress the appetite
Drink 150ml celery juice before every meal.

Menopause
Drink 100ml beetroot juice twice a day to relieve symptoms

Stop bleeding
Hold a piece of fresh bread (wholemeal or white) over a cut, apply mild pressure and wait for the bleeding to stop.

Stomach bug
Spend 2 days on the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, apples (lightly cooked) and toast.

Fight the blues
Put a handful of basil leaves in a teapot and pour boiling water over. Steep for 10mins. Drink a cup 2-3 times a day to ease depression.

Anti-wrinkle mask
Mix together 2 tbsp plain yogurt, 1/2 tbsp honey and 1/2 tbsp lemon juice. Add the liquid from 3 vitamin-capsules. Apply to the face, leave for 10 mins and rinse off.

Reduce swelling of most insect bites and stings
Aloe vera is simple to grow on a window sill for easy access. Simply apply the leaves' cooling gel directly to the area. Alternatively, buy aloe vera gel from a health shop.

Immune-booster
Process carrot, beetroot, gooseberries, a pinch of rock salt and some fresh garlic in a juicer or liquidiser. It doesn't taste as strange as it sounds!

Cold sores
Wrap ice in a tea towel and apply to the area for 10 mins.

Revive cold feet
Soak feet in a basin of warm water with 1/2 cup of salt, dissolved in it for 15 mins. Afterwards, massage it with damp salt.

Lower cholesterol
Extract the juice of 2 cloves of garlic by crushing in a pestle and mortar. Drink a spoonful every day.

Improve your mood
Have a few cashew nuts, raw or slightly warmed, each day.

Combat jet lag
The day before you fly, eat high-protein meals (meat/fish/pulses) for breakfast and lunch, and a carbohydrate meal (pasta/rice) for dinner. The protein in these meals stimulates the body to produce catecholamines, which mirror the body's naturally 'awake' daytime state.

Relieve acid build-up
Chew thoroughly on a celery stick.

Soothe bites and stings
Smooth on tomato juice.

Minimise swelling
Add 1 tsp cayenne pepper to a cup of apple cider vinegar and simmer for 15 mins. Cool to hand-hot. Soak a cloth in the vinegar, wring out the excess and hold the compress on the affected area.

Lessen snoring
A couple of sips of olive oil before bed coats the inside of the mouth.