Don't be conned by your 'win' (From Gazette Series)

Don't be conned by your 'win'

A CAM women is warning people to be wary of letters from a Spanish company telling them they have won money.

The 78-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, received a letter from Madrid-based La Primitiva Loteria Apuestas on Wednesday, telling her she had won more than EURO 600,000 in a lottery draw. The letter asked her to supply personal and bank details.

She told the Gazette: "They ask you for your bank information, which is where the scam comes in. There are an awful lot of people who would think nothing of sending their details off, thinking the money would be good for Christmas. Meanwhile, their bank account is being robbed.

"I have received 12 of these letters in the last five years. But it wasn't until I saw a programme on television where somebody who had spent thousands of pounds trying to get the money that I realised it was a scam. The best place to put these letters is in the bin."

Gloucestershire Trading Standards website tells people to be aware of notification received by telephone, through the post, or via the Internet indicating that they have won a major cash prize.