In most muggings the objective is the same: the villian is after your money. Cash, in any quantity attracts the thief. It is easily disposable and for most practicable purposes is untraceable once it has left your possession.
The more cash you have, or are thought to have, the greater the risk. Take, for example, pensioners who draw their pension in full from the local post office, roughly at the same time on the same day each week, and never go to the bank. Such persons are prime targets for a thief, not only because they have drawn cash, but also because the timing is predictable, and because their `non-banking` habit suggest they deal only in cash, either carrying it with them or keeping it at home.

In practice, however, any money you receive is considerably safer and generally more convenient if paid direct into a bank account. You can then draw as much or as little, cash as you need, when you need it. What`s left is well out of a thief's reach.
Whatever method you use for handling your money, be it Banks, Building Societies, Post Offices, cheques, Auto Tellers, plastic money, the police still implore you to reduce the amount of cash you carry on your person or keep at home. Hiding money under a matress, in a biscuit tin, or under the floor boards, is asking for trouble. Your average thief knows exactly where to look.

Cheque & Credit Cards

Ensure that your bank and credit cards are signed, and any new cards should be signed immediately using a pen. Destroy the old card immediately and thoroughly. Notify the bank or credit card company of any change of address, and tell them if your cards have expired and you have not received a replacement. Do not use easy PIN numbers, ie. your or relatives birthday. These are likely to be tried first if your card is stolen by someone who knows you. Never write down your PIN number. If you have a number of cards then why not make the PIN number the same for most or all of them. It will be easier for you to remember. Try not to let anyone see your 'pin' number when typing it into an auto-teller machine.

Use cash dispensers which are on main streets, or are well lit at night. Be aware of anyone hanging around. Never keep your cheque book and cheque card or credit card together, or leave unattended. Thieves are actively looking for these items in unattended vehicles, office drawers, jackets and handbags left lying around and in changing rooms. If you lose your cheque book, cheque card or bank card, tell your bank immediately. Criminals use these items quickly. The sooner you let the bank know the quicker they may be able to do something about it. Make life difficult for thieves. Carry your wallet in an inside pocket. If someone bumps into you in a crowd, make sure you still have your wallet or purse.

Spotting The Investment Cowboys

Not everyone of the 28,000 investment firms can be guaranteed to behave perfectly or remain solvent. There is always someone willing to take advantage of a person who does not understand the complexities of money investment. To avoid being caught learn a little Investor Common Sense.

• Is my adviser authorised?
  You can find out from the Financial Services Authority, 25, The North Colonade, Canary Wharf, LONDON. E14 5HS, Tel No. 020 7676 1000 or from www.fsa.gov.uk. If they are not registered they are breaking the law, and unauthorised firms will have no compensation scheme if they go bust. Registered firms may appoint others as their representatives, but are then responsible for what their representatives do on their behalf. Representatives are not obliged to be registered, but their stationery and advertisements must name the firm which appoints them.
• Ask your adviser how long they have been in business, and how much experience they have. What kind of investments they are authorised to advise apon, and do they specialise in particular areas. Be extra cautious if you are giving your adviser discretionary powers to invest money and hold shares on your behalf. Are they authorised to hold clients money? If not, make out any cheques to the firm you wish to invest in, not to the adviser.

• Be wary if he doesn`t answer questions you ask about your financial position, or advises you to cash in your other investments and give the money to him. If your adviser offers rates which seem too good to be true, they probably are. Be suspicious if he advises you to put everything into one investment, if you are not sure what is going to happen to your money, or if he insists that the investment must be taken advantage of immediately, without giving you time to read and check the documentation.
• Watch out if you don`t hear anything about your investments. You should receive reports - on paper - at least once per year. If your adviser regularly suggests selling your investments to buy new ones, he is probably getting commission, or charging you for each transaction.

  Adapted from the booklet "How to spot the investment cowboys", issued by the Securities and Investments Board.