Consumer champion Angela Rippon reveals the best way to avoid falling prey to scams (and warns EVERYONE is at risk, especially millennials on social media)

  • Angela Rippon, 71, returns to host the ninth series of BBC's Rip Off Britain
  • Along with Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville they look at the pitfalls and problems that consumers find themselves falling foul of 
  • She shares her own expert advice after nearly a decade of working on the show 

After nine series and almost a decade of Rip Off Britain, there's no sign of the show or its presenters slowing down.

And with opportunists consistently preying upon the vulnerable, host Angela Rippon, 71, sees it as her duty to protect consumers from avoid falling victim.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, the veteran presenter has shared her own tips on avoiding being ripped off, from knowing your rights, reading the small print and being careful about what you share online.

Angela Rippon is back for a ninth series of the BBC consumer advice show Rip Off Britain which looks at the scams UK consumers have fallen for 

Angela Rippon is back for a ninth series of the BBC consumer advice show Rip Off Britain which looks at the scams UK consumers have fallen for 

The scams that consumers find themselves falling foul of are the focus and Angela explains that everyone - regardless of age or gender - is at risk.

'Rip offs are equal opportunity I'm afraid. People are being targeted, and it has nothing to do with your age or gender.

'There are clever people out there with a criminal mind who want to get hold of your hard earned cash.

'What you have to do as an individual is to hang on to it by staying one step ahead of the criminals.' 

With years of dealing with scams designed to steal your hard-earned money, Angela knows of the clever tactics that criminals employ to steal money, here she reveals her insider tips...

1. Be wary of what you share online

Angela it tends to be the younger generation who fall victims to these scams as they share personal details on social media.

She explains: 'They are freely giving away information on social media - not realising that it is actually very easy for cyber criminals to access that material.' 

She points out that with cyber crime, people with the intent can glean enough background information to steal your identity and gain access to bank accounts. 

Along with Gloria Hunniford (centre) and Julia Somerville (right), the team are on hand to provide the best advice

Along with Gloria Hunniford (centre) and Julia Somerville (right), the team are on hand to provide the best advice

2. Always read the small print

'When it comes to signing contracts, the most important thing is make sure you read the small print,' Angela warns.

She recommends asking someone face-to-face to point out what the most important details of a contract as these points should not be buried. 

3. Stand up for your consumer rights 

'Too often people are brow beaten or they're told you don't have any rights,' Angela says.

'Check your rights. Go to the Citizen's Advice Bureau or trading standards and say "I don't think this is right". Get free advice.'

Angela encourages people to 'stand up if you feel it’s not right' and seek out the correct law to help support your case.

4. Keep calm 

Angela warns people shouldn't go 'storming in', but to stay calm and collected when registering a complaint.

'Complain, but complain firmly and politely. You're going to get better results if you do go in all guns blazing.'

Fraudulent scams are a subject close to home for Gloria who had £120,000 stolen from her account - however, luckily she was refunded 

Fraudulent scams are a subject close to home for Gloria who had £120,000 stolen from her account - however, luckily she was refunded 

Angela will be helping tackle these issues in the return of the hit BBC show where she investigates audacious scams, consumer conundrums and shoddy customer service - and they take on the banks, identity fraud and sniff out cyber crime.

Angela returns to front the show alongside co-hosts Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville, and the trio travel the length and breadth of the country investigating the issues that have driven desperate consumers to contact the show. 

The Rip Off Britain team are able to make reparations along the way, revisiting people they have helped but Angela will not be resting just yet. 

She adds: 'People are still being ripped off and scammed. Criminals are developing along with technology.'

Rip Off Britain will air on weekday mornings, BBC One, at 9.15am between 1st – 12th May, followed by a special week of Live programmes from Monday 15th May at the same time.