Thousands Of People Fall Victim To Postal Scams In The UK Every Day
Thousands of people fall victim to postal scams in the UK every day – make sure you’re not one of them.
That’s the message from Trading Standards at Pembrokeshire County Council.
The Council is giving advice to local residents about postal or mail scams as part of Scams Awareness Month.
Nigel Watts, Trading Standards Manager, said: “What starts as an initial reply to one letter may result in being bombarded with a host of different scams, all ultimately trying to defraud you.
“Some victims succumb to a downward spiral, resulting in financial and emotional detriment.
“You may receive a letter stating you’ve won a lottery such as the postcode or a foreign lottery. Have you even entered it? If you haven’t then you know it is a scam. With many genuine foreign lotteries you have to be in the country to actually buy a ticket in the first instance!”
He said that to claim your winnings the scam mail will ask you to pay a fee.
“Genuine lotteries will not ask you to do this. Often if you do send off the fee, you will be asked to pay more money and so it will go on. You will not receive any winnings.”
Sandra McSparron, Senior Trading Standards Officer, said some scam mail will say you have won entry into a prize draw for a substantial amount of money or a desirable prize. But, she warned, in those cases, you are required to place an order from their overpriced catalogue first.
“Others may require you to phone a premium rate number where the call lasts several minutes and costs more than the prize you actually win,” she said.
“Some scam mail claim to be from clairvoyants using intimidating tactics, claiming bad luck or ill health will result unless you pay them money.”
“Other mail may offer a ‘free’ trial of a health product such as a cream or a vitamin supplement. Often, unless you cancel the item within the specified period you have inadvertently agreed to receive regular deliveries that are no longer free.”
If you want to report a scam or get some advice, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service Helpline on 0345 4 040506/ Welsh Language Line 0345 4 040505.
Top Tips
- If you haven’t entered a lottery then you cannot win
- Never send money to claim a prize or winnings
- Never agree to any medicines or treatments without speaking to your own healthcare professional
- Sign up to the Mail Preference Service (MPS) to reduce marketing letters. Phone 0345 703 4599 or register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk
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