Consumer education complements other consumer protection strategies. It does not replace them.
Prevention and avoidance strategies are the most cost effective response to scams generally, and particularly with respect to those scams using telecommunications. Effective education of consumers is the key element of these strategies.
General advice for consumers:
If it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true
Remember communications at a distance reduces your ability to evaluate the trader and their products/services by talking to them in person and examining their shop and products.
Email and the net provide consumers with will an increased ability to make wide enquiry about the trader and the goods. Use them.
Always do you checking prior to providing financial or other personal information or paying any money
o Report any suspicious offers to your consumer protection agency or other appropriate government agency