Warning of ‘scam’ over prize offers

Jun 15 2009 By Andrew Brook

A CAR, £25,000 in cash or a holiday in the Algarve.

These are just some of the tempting prizes being offered in a contest by an organisation called the Huddersfield Prize Register.

But would-be contestants have been warned: "It’s a scam".

Various prizes are being offered for the price of a telephone call but it’s a call that will cost you at least £9.

Usually you will win the cheapest item on the list, such as a poor quality digital camera, worth less than the phone call you made.

Kirklees council Clr Tony Brice, who served on the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee, said: "It’s a scam basically.

"They prey on vulnerable people with the promise of riches and prizes."

The genuine-looking letters have been landing on local doormats bearing the logo of the Huddersfield Prize Register.

UK Prize Register has offered such competitions for years, but only in the last year has it done so under the Huddersfield name.

The envelope says it contains "important documents" and an "official reminder".

The letter has a list of potential prizes which also includes a 42in television, £850 of Marks & Spencer vouchers, a Sony laptop and £300 of Tesco vouchers. , with no technical specifications for any of the electrical items.

To claim your award there is a "personal allocation code" and numbers to call or text.