"A lot of this originates from overseas, so it's difficult to get your money back," he explained. "The real message is: don't get into problems in the first place"

watch our interview in full with the National Consumer Council

They catch you unawares: so you should be on your guard if anyone says you've won a prize when you don't remember entering a competition.

They may sound plausible - but what they're offering is often too good to be true.

What you told Breakfast I have an 88-year old aunt in a residential home who is bombarded with this type of mail. For several years she was taken in by a number of the promises of large prize cheques in return for an administration fee of £10-20 a time. Miles Couchman Read more viewers' comments on our Your Say page

You should never send money upfront to them: whether it's an administration fee or tax - it's a con.

And you should never give out your bank details to anyone.

The OFT says that simply by responding to one contact, you could find your name and address on a "suckers list" which will be passed to other con-men around the world.

From one response, you could be bombarded with letters, texts and phone calls tempting you to reply.

Junk mail

Not all junk mail is a scam; neither is every unsolicited phone call.

But if they drive you mad, there is something you can do.

To deter telephone canvassers, you can register with the Telephone Preference Service (see the link on the right).

To get rid of junk mail, there is a similar service called the Mail Preference Service.

This is run by a trade body called the Direct Marketing Association, which keeps lists of people who don't like to receive mail-shots.

Registering with these organisations won't necessarily deter the con-artists, but it may help you keep track of the calls and letters you actually asked for.