Postcode Lottery scam in Hastings

Paul and Jane Dayrell, of Primrose Hill, Fairlight, received a letter in the post dated May 6, 2015, claiming they had won £825,000 on the postcode lottery, despite not entering.

The letter, which is signed by ‘President’ Baron Wheels, tells the couple they must pay a processing fee in order to receive their winnings.

It also advises them to keep news of their success confidential ‘as part of the precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements’.

Mr Dayrell said: “My wife received this letter in the post to say she’d won a huge sum of money but they wanted a payment in order for us to receive the funds.

“The letter looks genuine – it’s on headed paper and has a signature at the bottom – but it’s filled with errors.

“We are quite switched on, so recognised it to be a scam, but some other elderly residents may not realise. I have informed the police.”

A spokesman from the People’s Postcode Lottery said: “People’s Postcode Lottery is aware that sometimes illegitimate individuals and organisations will attempt to use our lottery’s brand to gain access to information or details supplied by unsuspecting members of the public. People’s Postcode Lottery takes such matters very seriously.

“Legitimate lotteries, such as People’s Postcode Lottery, will not under any circumstances request a payment in order to receive your ‘winnings’. If you are at all suspicious, contact customer services on 0808 10 9 8 7 6 5.

“Thankfully, incidences where the public is affected by an illegal lottery using the People’s Postcode Lottery brand are rare but we would encourage anyone who has encountered a scam to report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk.”