Beware The Lottery Scam
UK citizens have already been targeted by unscrupulous con men claiming that they had won the Canadian and Spanish lotteries
. Unfortunately, numerous individuals fell for the scam and lost thousands of pounds as they answered to more and more phone calls demanding money to cover costs before their 'winnings' could be given. The cash is sent but the winnings don't exist.
It appears that things are getting worse instead of better with the UK National Lotto and EuroMillions being targeted in addition to successful syndicates such as e-Lottery. Also, the scams appear to be getting ever more sophisticated with individuals being contacted not simply via e-mail and telephone calls but by letter and text messaging as well.
These scams are successful simply because they're run by highly organized criminal gangs who are very professional. Both email and direct mail pieces are very convincing and phone operators are really confident and reassuring. On the other hand, they target the most weak, frequently the elderly. These people want 2 things:
Your Money Your identity
So how does the lottery scam function?
THE PITCH:
They offer you something for nothing - like:
you have won a major prize in a draw or a lottery (despite the fact that you have not gotten into one)
THE STING
They will request you to:
send money up front - an administration fee or tax, the list is countless but it's constantly a trick to get you to give them money.
give them your bank, credit card or other personal details.
How to prevent becoming a lottery scam victim:
make use of your common sense! If you did not enter a lottery, ie buy a ticket up front, you cannot actually win it.
Keep in mind no legitimate lottery will request you for any money so as for you to receive winnings.
If in doubt, check with the official operators (all of them have warnings regarding this scam on their websites.)
If you have gotten an email, text, letter or telephone call that you think to be untrue, delete it, throw it away or put the telephone down. Don't respond in any shape or form. This will only confirm your details and leave you open to further targeting and harrassment. Do not be lured to bank any monies that may have be sent as upfront payment. You'll be liable.
Never expose any personal, bank or credit card details.
DO seek advice from family, friends and other professionals.
Call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
Lottery scam warning signs include:
The use of hard to trace contact details like free e-mail addresses (yahoo, hotmail etc) and PO Box numbers.
the approach, regardless of whether in writing, by phone, e-mail or text, is unsolicited
A very short time frame by which to respond to claim winnings.
A request for a 'processing' or 'administration' fee to obtain the winnings.
A request for personal, credit card or bank account details.
They request you not to tell anybody with regards to the deal.
Constantly remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. However, despite the publicity surrounding the lottery scam, it doesn't seem to be disappearing.
by: Hazel Knox.
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