TRADING Standards is warning Central Fife residents thinking of selling gold or silver jewellery to beware of conmen keen to cash in.

There can be a wide difference in how much shops or dealers will pay for precious metals. Sellers are urged to shop around to avoid becoming the victim of a scam and make sure they’re getting a fair price.

Top advice tips are, Never deal with unsolicited doorstep callers, asking if you have jewellery to sell, they may be rogue traders or even would-be burglars.

Don’t respond to adverts or flyers offering to buy gold or silver where the trader has no fixed premises.

Get several quotes to make sure you’re getting a fair offer for your jewellery.

Make sure your jewellery is weighed with accurate scales, verified and stamped by an authorised person, before you are given a price for it.

If your jewellery contains precious stones be sure that their value is taken into account. If in doubt get items valued by a reputable jeweller.

Said a spokesperson for Trading Standards: "Any precious metals dealer is required to display a hallmarking notice in the location where they deal with customers – it’s an offence not to do so.

"Look for the carat marking on your jewellery’s hallmarking stamp to check its purity – gold is likely to be either 9 or 18 carat. Sterling silver will be stamped with 925."

If you need advice relating to this or any other consumer issue, contact their partners at Citizens Advice Scotland on 03454 04 05 06 or citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland to find out what your rights are and how to take action.