Q&A Your legal questions answered.

Send your questions to askdean@people.co.uk

He rang the mobile phone number on the flyer and spoke to a man called Gerry. He explained that he was a broker and that he specialised in getting cheap car insurance for students.

He then asked Lee for all of his details and asked what his last insurance policy had cost him.

At the end of the call he said he would get quotes and call Lee back.

Some 30 minutes later he told Lee the good news that a quote had been obtained for him for £550 a year, which was far cheaper than his last policy.

But there was a hitch. Gerry explained that he could not pay by monthly direct debit and instead it had to be paid in one lump sum.

Lee agreed with this and made a bank transfer to an account provided by Gerry. A week later

QI HAVE twice ordered and paid for trainers from Sports Direct online. On both occasions I received an email to say they are out of stock. If they take my money aren’t they obliged to fulfil the order? Frank Ashdown SADLY not. For a binding contract you need an offer, acceptance and consideration (i.e. money). Retailers advertise goods on what is called an invitation to treat basis. So when you click on the ‘buy now’ button you are making them an offer to buy and then providing consideration in the form of your payment. The last element needed (acceptance) only comes when they actually ship the goods. So if they cancel before this there is no binding contract to hold them to. I BOUGHT a used but very expensive watch from a

AQLee received his insurance papers in the post. In February, Lee received a letter from the Motor Insurance Bureau saying his car was not registered on the insurance database, which he ignored.

He then had cause to make a claim due to a cracked windscreen. It was only then that he realised he had been scammed. Gerry was a fraudster and the insurance papers he had received were fake.

Lee had lost his money and had been uninsured for nearly five months. It’s a legal obligation to reputable jeweller. I’ve just had the battery changed and discovered that it’s not the model they described in the sales details and is worth less than I thought. Do I have any recourse? George Carrington IF you can prove this they will have to refund you as they have

Ahave valid car insurance. If you buy a fake policy from a fraudster you run the risk of points on your licence, having your vehicle seized, a fixed penalty notice and being personally liable if you get in an accident and cause injury to someone or damage to property.

If you are in doubt about an insurance firm or broker check with the Association of British Insurers (abi.org.uk or call 0207 600 3333) or the British Insurance Brokers Association (biba.org.uk or call 0344 7700 266).