The watchdog said the awareness drive provided valuable advice to residents.

Information packs were sent home with every pupil in all of East Renfrewshire's schools.

East Renfrewshire Council's environment convener, Councillor Vincent Waters, said: "This was part of a council-wide initiative involving staff from not only trading standards but also staff from our libraries, Customer First and ICT services.

"Staff visited various locations offering free, practical and unbiased advice on everything from safe online shopping to spotting scam e-mails, buying or selling a car, staying safe on Facebook to updating anti-virus software."

More information is available at www.getsafe onoline.org and at all libraries in the area.