Member Article

Lottery scam set to hit UK

Consumers are being warned about a new type of lottery scam targeting the UK. The scam uses counterfeit cheques to try and convince recipients that their promised win is genuine. The mailing from the ‘Australian Lottery Corporation’ states that the recipient has won $750,000 but must first pay for taxes and insurance. Recipients are advised to call an agent for more information.A $4,880 cheque personally made out to the recipient, and allegedly drawn on a reputable American bank, is also attached to the mailing as part of the alleged winnings to cover the ‘necessary payments’ the consumer needs to make. The cheque is in fact counterfeit and anyone who tries to cash it could be liable for any funds they spend while waiting for the cheque to clear. Experience from similar scams suggests that victims could lose thousands of pounds if they send off money to claim their ‘winnings’.There are several warning signs consumers should be aware of if they receive a mailing or telephone call telling them they have won an international lottery: you can’t win a lottery unless you have entered; legitimate lotteries don’t ask you to pay taxes, custom fees, insurance shipping or handling or any other fee before receiving your ‘winnings’; you will often be asked to send money upfront to the perpetrators by money transfer.Anyone who is contacted about a lottery win and suspects it may be a scam can call Consumer Direct for clear, practical advice on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .