FRAUDSTERS and scam artists are cashing in on the generosity of the public according to Trading Standard officials.

They have issued an urgent warning to the public to be on the lookout for scams and ask people to report them as soon as they can.

They have also issued a list of the top ten scams and offered tips to recognise them. The top ten include telephone lotteries, postal lotteries, pyramid schemes and Nigerian advance fee frauds. Colin Russell, of Southamp-ton Trading Standards, said they are determined to stamp out the schemes and asked people to be on the lookout.

Pam Macklin of Regent's Park, Southampton, received a scam e-mail.

He said: "It was from somebody claiming to be from the Foreign Department of a bank in Benin, West Africa.

"It stated that I was the inheritor of a large amount of money."

To claim the money she would have to confirm her full name and address.

"I was surprised because I thought I had a secure address. There are vulnerable people in society who might fall for this type of scam.

"There was some threatening wording in it," she said.

Colin Russell added that scam artists would go the extra mile for cash.

They would demand items like credit card or bank details and even copies of passport or identity documents.

He said that if anybody receives a letter, call or e-mail that they think is suspect then they should call it in.

"Trust your instincts," he said.

"If it sounds too good to be true it probably is."

TOP TEN SCAMS:

HERE are the top ten scams Southampton trading Standards are warning the public to be aware of:

Telephone lottery scams

Prize draws, sweepstakes and lottery mailings

Premium rate telephone number scams

Nigerian advance fee frauds

Phishing - setting up a website claiming to be a legitimate organisation or charity in order to obtain money

Matrix schemes - consumers are promised a free gift for buying an item

Pyramid schemes

Investment related scams

Credit scams

Working at home scams