By Anne Knox - August 27th, 2008

Local Trading Standards officers are warning consumers about the latest phone and mail scams which aim to plunder their bank accounts.
The Officers have received complaints from residents who have been targeted by scammers claiming they have one lottery prizes.
One consumer from Lanark claims to have received a telephone call from someone in Kingston, Jamaica, saying she had won a lottery prize draw. The caller requested £550 to be paid via Western Union Bank and has repeatedly called her home demanding the money be sent.
Another consumer from Carluke contacted Trading Standards after she received a letter from a Spanish company in Madrid. The letter informed her she had won the lottery and asked for her bank details and next of kin.
Peter Sherry, the council's Trading Standards Manager said: "We cannot stress strongly enough how important it is never to respond to unsolicited letters or telephone calls.Consumers should never feel forced into giving out personal details or parting with cash. This type of correspondence can be upsetting for consumers so we would urge anyone who receives telephone calls, letters or e-mails of a suspicious nature to contact their local consumer and trading standards office and the local Police.”
If you or anyone you know is concerned about hoax telephone calls or letters you should contact your local consumer and trading standards office on 01698 476222/3 or for further help and information go to the Identity Theft website




theGuidLife acknowledges South Lanarkshire Council for the details of this story

















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