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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards |
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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards |
The
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, having recently been inundated with
enquiries about “junk mail”, wants to warn people attracted by the prospect
of “get rich quick” schemes. Recent enquiries to the Trading Standards
Service include sending money to fortune- tellers and psychics in return for
their “grand revelation”. Such leaflets prey on vulnerable people advising
them of some ill fate that is set to befall them in the future, the only way to
find out more details is to send money.
Other
common mail-shots advise the recipient that they have been selected to receive
valuable awards or large sums of money. However, consumers should be aware of
anything that could potentially be misleading. The clear statement “you have
won” appears to be conclusive. However, “you have won” may simply mean
that you have won the chance to be entered into a prize draw. It refers to the
opportunity that has been won rather than the actual prize. Even if the consumer
has won an actual prize it will inevitably be worth less than any
“registration fee” required to claim it.
There
are other companies, who request a consumers bank details in order to put money
into a consumer’s bank account that will be extracted at a later date. In
return the consumer will allegedly get a percentage of the interest. West
Yorkshire Trading Standards Service advises consumers never to reveal their
personal details, which could result in potential loss of money.
Martin Wood Chief Officer of West
Yorkshire Joint Services said, “Many of these companies are based outside the
United Kingdom and are therefore outside the scope of UK legislation, making it
even more difficult for consumers to get their money back in the event of the
trader breaching the contract.”
Councillor
Graham Clarke, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee
said.“ The old saying if it seems too good to be true it probably is, seems
very applicable here. My advice to any consumer who may be tempted by these
offers is to keep their money in their pocket and throw the mail-shot straight
in the bin.”
If
consumers do have any concerns, they should contact the Consumer Helpline on
01133 848 848, between 8.30 – 6.30 Monday to Friday and between 9.00- 1.00 on
Saturdays. Alternatively you could log on to our website on www.adviceline.org.uk
or contact our minicom on 0113 2892 265.
For further information please contact
Graham
Hebblethwaite Divisional Manager/ General Media Contact 0113 289 8218
Paul
Cooper Divisional Manager 0113 2898240
David
Lodge Principal Trading Standards Officer 0113 2898243