SCAM ALERT!

Every time we go online, we risk being taken for a ride. Here's how to remain scam-savvy and keep your money safe.

- KEITH BAIN

We've all been sent them. An uncle has died but the bank account is tied up in a trust, or - what are the chances? - someone who just happens to share your surname has passed away in the UK and you are eligible for the inheritance.

You really can't make these stories up, but someone did, and they did it just to trick gullible recipients into parting with their personal details. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, around 160 million phishing emails are sent out every day - and Google claims that it blocks more than 99.9% of the phishing attempts sent to Gmail users.

Online scams come in myriad guises, from phishing emails to fake online stores, and while they're often ludicrous and quite laughable, plenty of people still fall for them.

Protecting yourself against scams like these require vigilance and common sense. But there's good news: once you learn to spot a scam, avoiding them should become second nature.

OKAY, BUT HOW?