The caller claims to have a client in a similar or same market as yours, saying they want to buy these sites and that it could harm your business because the names are so similar.

They then say they can stop this by taking payment from you over the phone by credit card. They claim that for a fee which varies from £2.00 to £25.00 they will buy the site on your behalf and make sure nobody can use it.

Edwards says they asked both companies for a contact telephone number to get back to them, only to have the phone put down. "They'll do anything to get your card number, " said Edwards.

The second scam is another involving Africa, this time The Gambia. George Durrant says he had this scam tried on Ampair a year ago and it now seems to have surfaced again, this time costing some companies a lot of money. Up to £6,000 apparently.

A call is received sourcing solar panels for shipment to The Gambia. Payment is offered by credit card. Those accepting the order and the credit card number will find the number belongs to a stolen card.

The card company will snatch the money back after a few months.

"Make it money in the bank before you despatch the goods, " says Durrant.