Beware postcode lottery scam

Residents are being warned about hoax letters stating that they have won a substantial amount on the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The letter claims the recipient has won £825,000 and urges them to ring a telephone number to claim their reward. During the phone call the scammers ask the “winner” to pay over part of their winnings.

Trading standards officers say this scam has been around for a while but seems to have re-appeared in the last few weeks.

Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing in Bury, said: “Residents should be suspicious if letters arrive unexpectedly, especially if you haven’t signed up to the lottery.

“If you haven’t taken part, you can’t win. If it seems to be good to be true, it usually is.”

Trading standards advise:

• Be suspicious if letters, emails or phone calls arrive unexpectedly, or are unsolicited
• Check the company - if you’ve never heard of the lottery or competition before, is it a scam?
• Think - if you haven’t bought a ticket or signed up, how can you be in the draw?
• Delete bogus emails and throw scam letters into your green recycling bin (once you’ve shredded them)
• Never give out your personal information -if you have signed up to a genuine lottery they should already have your details
• Do you have to keep it to yourself? If you are asked to keep the win secret, this is to stop anyone advising you to ignore the letter.

ENDS

Press release issued: 8 September 2015.