HUDDERSFIELD people are being warned not to fall for a lottery mail scam.
Letters are dropping through local letterboxes, telling householders that they have won over 615,000 euros in the El-Mundo Spanish Sweepstake Lottery.
The letter claims the money has been deposited with Madrid company Grupo Bilboa Security, who will claim 10% of the winnings as a processing fee.
It gives a claims agent's number and says the winner must fax a form - attached to the letter - to him before April 27.
The form asks for personal information, such as address and date of birth, and bank details.
There is also a section which asks for a signature.
Huddersfield man Chris Laffey received one of the letters on Friday.
Mr Laffey, of Springwood Street, immediately recognised the letter as a scam - but is worried others may fall for it.
He said: "It is worrying because they asked for details and signatures and they can be used in identity fraud.
"Some people might think it's a good idea to reply because it's money for nothing. But they could be putting themselves at risk."
John Field works for Consumer Direct at West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service.
He urged people not to reply to such letters.
He said: "We have had 62 complaints about Spanish lotteries in the past year. They keep changing their names.
"Depending where the company is based, we refer them to the Office of Fair Trading.
"There are links with other countries to try and stop this happening.
"You don't normally win things without entering, so our advice is that if anyone is asking for bank details or money, do not give it to them."
He said Consumer Direct want to hear from anyone who receives such letters.
They can be contacted on 08454 040506.
