CANADIAN
LOTTERY ALERT!
Have you responded to an unsolicited phone
call or letter telling you that you have been entered into a prize
draw? If so, you could be in danger of losing thousands of pounds.
What should I do?
If you have already sent money, do not send any more.
If you get an unsolicited phone call, remember:
• beware - if you have doubts about a caller, hang up
• never send any money in order to receive a prize
• don't give out personal financial information, such as your bank
account details
• Canada doesn't have a national lottery like the UK.
How can I spot a scam?
There are a number of things to look out for to spot a scam, including:
• if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• you are often asked for money up front to release your 'win'
• you are asked for your bank account, credit card details or other
confidential information
• the caller is more excited than you
• the stranger who phones wants to be your best friend
• you are told you must reply straight away or the money will be
given to someone else.
How does it work?
If you have responded to a phone call or letter, your name will
have been added to a 'sucker list' which is made available to numerous
scam operators.
You might then receive an unsolicited phone call from Canada congratulating
you on winning the 'big prize' in a national lottery such as the
Canadian, Australian or Spanish.
You will be told that before you can claim the prize, you must
send money to pay for taxes and processing fees. Thousands of people
in the UK have already received unsolicited phone calls and
sent thousands of pounds to fraudulent
lottery
schemes operating out of Canada. The OFT is aware of people who
have lost up to £67,000 as they respond to more and more
telephone calls demanding payments to cover costs in order to receive
their prize. The prize doesn't exist, and they never receive any
winnings in return for their cash.
Who is at risk?
The elderly are particularly at risk. More than 80 per cent of
victims are over 65, but anybody can receive a phone call. In many
cases victims have received a number of phone calls from somebody
who tries to befriend them, asking them about their family and
interests, before they ring them again to tell them they have won
a prize. The caller may pose as a government official, customs
officer or lawyer. Most victims do not report the crime through
embarrassment. Some fear that they may lose control of their finances
because of their age.
Who can help?
If you have lost money, it's highly unlikely that you will get
it back.
But the OFT has set up a telephone hotline to collect evidence
that the Canadian authorities can use to prosecute the fraudsters.
Although we cannot take up cases on behalf of individuals, if you
have had a phone call or think you have sent money to the Canadian
lottery scam, please ring us to help end the scam.
Hotline number: 020 7211 8111
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