Do your homework before investing in a company ... particularly if it says it's based overseas

Financial Service Complaints Limited has seen a rise of about 20 percent in fraud complaints in the past year.

Financial Ombudsman Susan Taylor says make sure you do your research -- including a google search, and perhaps calling them.

She says for example, if an investment fund is offering you fantastic rates of return, it may be too good to be true and a way of trying to entice you to invest to steal your money.