i am a clubseasons prize winner ??

[signsofgoing]

Today I received a Recorded Delivery Letter informing me (quote);- "INTERNET PRIZE DRAW ENTRY No *****", Congratulations !, Dear Mr. T, I am delighted to inform that you have won a prize to the value of �3,750, in the Internet Prize Draw / Seasons grand prize draw ....To authenticate please phone Carol on 0800 *** *** between 12 noon & 8pm within 7 days from the date of letter...Once again congratulations. Yours Sincerely. My question is;- Has any other T.A.B member received a similar letter ?...I DID enter this competion but still wondering if this could be a scam ?. Clubseasons do have a web-site, www.clubseasons.co.uk, BUT I am still unsure ! Any useful suggestions would REALLY be appreciated. Thank You in Advance, Kenny. T

[Christiana]

It seems worth investigating. An 0800 phone number is a good sign, the fact that you were addressed by name and the fact that it is not on the internet. It's a shame we have to be so cautious, isn't it. I had a similar experience when I received a letter saying I had won a holiday to South Africa and asking me to phone. It was true and I had a wonderful holiday.

Obviously you wouldn't give out bank account details etc. on the phone. I would be suspicious if money was asked for when you telephone.

Hope this helps.

[smouse]

bit of googling and found this

In short, its a timeshare - the use of recorded delivery is a clever marketing ploy to make you think you've won a bona fide prize. In truth you haven't. You'll be invited along to receive your prize where you'll be subjected to a sales presentation, then when you say you just want the prize there'll be an 'admin' fee you have to pay (�39 pp?). People have then found the holidays are really difficult to book (inconvenient dates/ airports) & even those who have managed to go abroad then find they have to listen to an even longer & harder sales pitch (if I recall one story was they take your passport off you for security and then don't give it back to you until you agree to go to a sales presentation!)

[Ice.Maiden]

I'd leave well alone. If they contact you again - tell them you'd be very interested to hear what they have to say, as you're a solicitor......

[grasscarp]

I "won" the same thing a while back, but was told in a phone call. A quick bit of googling, and often the phone number is enough to find what it is all about, showed it was timeshare and I did not follow it up. Got another call recently telling me I had won a holiday etc. When I said I hadnt entered he said sorry and rang off.

[signsofgoing]

Hi, Just to add a bit more, I DID phone the 0800 number & was informed that this is NOT a scam, BUT CLUBSEASONS require a payment of �275.25 for Upkeep & Maintenance of their properties, WHICH will be refunded IN FULL after I book my first holiday !. I dont understand why have to pay it UP FRONT for it to be refunded ?. The PRIZE Value �3750 gives me membership of Clubseasons until the year 2069....I guess that I still have some questions to put to them now Thanks to some Kind & helpful A.B members, Many Tnx for your input, Kenny.T.

[Christiana]

What a shame. Now I've read the rest, it sounds like a typical timeshare ploy and I certainly wouldn't part with any money under any circumstances.
My prize came from Airline Network and was absolutely bona fida, but it took me ages to really believe it. There was never any question of sending any money. All I had to do was tell them when I wanted to go and they sent me the air tickets and booked the hotel for me. Sad to say I think we are all ultra cautious about such things nowadays.

[Murielmci]

I am an ex CAB manager - a rule of thumb was always to ask if money was asked upfront and, if so, don't touch it with a bargepole.

Same is true of work from home schemes.

It is from these upfront payments that they make most of their money.

[rootshall]

i received a call several months ago telling me i'd won the holiday of a lifetime.....to the canary islands....now if it had been japan i might have been interested...but not the canary islands

[Tichfield]

I did a google search on clubseasons.

Lots of people saying they have won this prize - or onr just like it - all being asked to pay money up-front!

I would bin the letter.

[bathtub]

Yes. Please don't touch this with a bargepole despite any flannel they've given you. Email Watchdog instead.

[Ice.Maiden]

You were very lucky Christiana - but it's a shame there are so many bogus "competitions" around, as it stops people from going in for the genuine ones.