SCAM merchants are targeting the Chard and Ilminster area.

This week the News lifts the lid on a number of scams which have surfaced in the last month.

Readers have reported a variety of postal scams so businesses and home owners are advised to check their post carefully and not send off any cash in advance.

Howard Burnett, assistant head of community protection at Somerset's Trading Standards department told the News: "If you have to pay money up front, don't bother replying. No legitimate organisation will contact you through the post and ask for money up front."