Lottery Scam Warning issued by OFT

1 December 2009

Lottery Scam Warning issued by OFT

The Office of Fair Trading warns the public to beware of fake lottery scams.

Some simple rules to observe: how can you win something when you have not partaken in the promotion? If it looks too good to be true it probably is. Also you should not have to pay anything to receive your prize.

Typical warning signs include:

Promoter being based overseas

Having to ring premium rate phone lines

An invitation to provide credit card or bank account details

A short time in which to respond to claim your prize or winnings

Having to pay a 'processing' or 'administration' fee to obtain a prize or reward

Having to ring premium rate phone lines

The OFT warns that lottery scams cost the British public an estimated £260 million a year with an average loss of £1,900 per victim per year.

Izaz Ali (Izaz.Ali@lawdit.co.uk) Izaz is a commercial lawyer who specialises in information technology law and intellectual property law with an emphasis on IT, escrow, online and off-line contracts, and the buying and selling of online businesses.