Alert after local lotto scam

Police have notified residents of North Somerset not to be fooled by leaflets claiming that they have won a European lottery.

The flyers, which ask for a substantial amount of personal information, instruct individuals to call a telephone number and eventually lead to a request for cash, are being investigated by officers.

Sergeant Dave Hayward said: "This is a scam - you have to enter a lottery to win it. "You know if you have bought a ticket and if you win, the instructions on how to claim your prize are on the ticket.

"Legitimate organisations will not ask for your bank details or money in advance before you receive your prize.

"Do not share your personal details such as your bank account information with anyone unless you know exactly who you're dealing with.

"The best advice, if you receive these kinds of letters, is to shred them.

"If you do respond you risk losing a large sum of money."

North Somerset Police works in partnership with Consumer Direct and the North Somerset Trading Standards Service to investigate cases of this kind.
Anyone who thinks they have been subject to such fraud can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or by logging on to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk