Watch out for scams

Here is an article from the UK's Which? Magazine well worth sharing:

We've all spent idle moments daydreaming about winning the lottery, so when you open an e-mail or letter telling you that all your dreams have come true, it's very tempting to get carried away.

Which? reader Cherry Howard from Andover received an e-mail informing her that she won $2,500,000 in the 'e-mail Lottery Ballot International', a draw promoted and sponsored by unnamed "eminent personalities" and one which Ms Howard had absolutely no recollection of entering. She was asked to pay a $75,000 contingency fee to release the winnings.

After confirming her name and telephone number by e-mail, Ms Howard replied saying the payment could be taken from her winnings. Her husband later telephoned the Dutch mobile number to ask for more details. The person became 'rather stroppy' and Mr Howard decided to hang up.

Fortunately, the couple haven't been contacted since or suffered any repercussions. But, despite realising early on that it was "a classic con", Mr Howard is still concerned that some people targeted by such scams might not know where to go to get advice.

Ms Howard is one of many. Our research showed that 16 per cent of Britain's adult population (almost eight million) have seen or received material promoting this kind of international lottery.

It's illegal to promote foreign lotteries in the UK but modern communication methods, such as e-mail and mobile phones, make it difficult for police to crack down on the perpetrators, as most are based abroad. Even if you don't cough up any money, you could still be a victim - by simply confirming names, e-mail addresses or telephone numbers, you may be providing information that can be used to carry out identity fraud. Our advice is to shred or delete any approach you may receive from a foreign lottery. And remember, you can't win a lottery when you haven't bought a ticket. (Which? Magazine)

I appeal to Maltese consumers to be wary of such scams. In fact many such scams are sent to addresses in Malta. If you have received similar scams you are welcome to share it with Maltese consumers.