14th June 2010
Bournemouth residents are being warned not to get caught out in the latest World Cup related scam.
The town’s Trading Standards team has received several complaints from local residents who have received a letter claiming they have won a large sum of money eg £800,000 from ‘Euro Millions Fifa World Cup Super Lottery Program.’
Bournemouth’s Trading Standards officers are warning local people, that if they receive a letter like the one described, to report it to Consumer Direct immediately.
Senior Trading Standards Officer, David Morton said: “This type of scam isn’t new, there have been many similar examples; however, when someone receives a letter through the door which claims to be linked to the World Cup it can be very convincing.
The letter requests that the recipient provides their contact and banking details and I would advise very strongly that residents do not provide this information because of the danger of their bank accounts being emptied of cash.”
Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community said: “We have a duty to protect our residents from such scams and we will take all necessary action to warn the community and liaise with various other enforcement agencies because this type of scam is often based abroad”.
Consumer direct tel: 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (a national telephone and online advice service working in partnership with Trading Standards)