SUFFOLK police are urging internet users to be wary of websites which offer loans and then cheat people out of money.

The warning comes after a Lowestoft woman lost more than �700 in a scam.

Some websites offer loans asking for money up front to cover administration fees, tax protection or payment protection.

But police are reminding people that legitimate loan providers will not ask for money up front in such a way. Det Sgt Panicos Monk said: We're urging people to be sensible and look for these warning signs when applying for loans online.

'It's best to do some research into the company before using them.

'Many postal addresses can turn out to be false when you put them into a search engine for example, and some people may have already come across the company and posted about them online.

'These so-called 'companies' regularly change their name and can disappear overnight.'

?If you think you have fallen victim to a loan fraud contact police on 101.