Scams: Who is being tricked, how is it happening, how can you avoid it?

Scams are very much on the rise. Like many others, most of the calls I get on my landline are from people claiming to be my Broadband provider concerned that I am experiencing problems, but for a fee …. well, you know the drill. The other very common one I’ve had is a call supposedly from the Tax man or similar demanding that either I pay some tax right now or I face immediate arrest. It is tempting to engage and vent a bit, but it really is best not to bother. Anything I might say is not exactly news for these guys.