unclaimed prizes register

[Barney's pal]

I have recently been sent several letters from something called unclaimed prizes register. first few times I put them in the bin because it said to ring an 09 number and I know this is really expensive, think it might be a scam. But they still keep writing saying I've won an amount of money. Sent off a form to apply by post. Does anyone know if this is definately a scam or what it is? I can't afford to get conned, perhaps shouldn't have ut my phone number down. Any Advice grateful

[musicman1956]

If you don't remember entering a competition for a money prize, then you haven't won anything. The things being sent to you will ask you to send money to cover admin costs and at the end you will get a trinket with a value of about one tenth of what you've sent. You are doing the correct thing by binning the whole lot. It is a Scam.

[VHG]

>Sent off a form to apply by post.

Silly boy. Now they have your mail address and maybe phone number it will be sold on to many many other companies who run scams like this.

Be prepaered for many other letters and phone calls offering you all sorts of "wonderful" deals.

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER reply to letters like this, NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER give out your personal information like address, phone number etc to people you dont know.

Identity theft is one of the biggest growth areas for criminals so guard your personal details.

[VHG]

A search on "Unclaimed prize register" would also help you.

I did one and found these

http://forums.moneysa...wthread.html?t=310059

http://blog.loquax.co...get-their-mail-57.htm

http://www.guardian.c...plement.scamsandfraud

[Barney's pal]

Many thanks, know now not to have anything to do with these scammers. wish i hadn't sent my phone number, but fortunately they haven't got any other personal details.

[Panic Button]

Screen your calls with an answerphone for a while, and only answer people that you want to speak to.