I had to post this - I was not born yesterday but you never know if someone thinks it is a good idea.

I had an email from a Kelly Smith asking for an overnight booking, (aren't they all when it is a scam).  Apparently he wants to fly over to me and someone is going to pay for an escort to entertain him.  However, he needs my full name, address, postcode, phone number, (and let's throw in the shoe size) to send me a cheque.  The cheque will be for ?3000, then I deduct my overnight fee, (generously guessed at ?500) and post him ?2,500 back.  This is because the company can not send direct to him.

Even assuming there was such a cheque sent, and you did get the ?500, this is illegal money laundering.  More likely they will attempt to use your personal details for identity theft.  Either way do not bother to reply.

This one has been running for years and all types of businesses are targetted - Escorts are only the latest to be invited. Scam is they will send a check for overpayment and request the change. You pay it into your bank account see it clear in 3-5 days and post back the difference. Cheques can aparently be reversed up to 10 days later and it will bounce leaving you out of pocket.

A hotel in the Lakes was scammed in the same way around 2-3 years back but it's been around for longer than that.