RESIDENTS are being urged to report any bogus letters that promise prizes as part of a ‘Scamnesty’.
The Office for Fair Trading began its Scam Awareness campaign this week, which runs until February 26.
It comes after an influx of bogus companies who call, send letters or emails claiming people have won big prizes and ask for cash up front.
In Coventry, a 66-year-old woman lost £40,000 to various lottery scams while another resident lost about £30,000 to a Spanish lottery company.
Councillor Hazel Noonan, city services cabinet member, said: “Scams can be recognised because they are received out of the blue, promising something for nothing and usually ask for money up front.
“Typical scams to be aware of include fake foreign lotteries, prize draw notifications, bogus psychic predictions and ‘phishing’ scams which involve email messages appearing to be from a genuine organisation, such as a bank or building society asking for personal information.”
Coventry residents are being encouraged to take part in ‘Scamnesty 10’ and report any scams they receive to Consumer Direct.
Mike Lynn, from Coventry Trading Standards, said: “Last year we received more than 100 mailings from residents, with foreign lotteries topping the list of most complained about.”
For more information visit www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04
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