Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 27 July 2001 For Use: Immediately

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Competition Award Notices

Trading Standards Officers with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar say they have recently been inundated with enquiries from consumers who have received letters regarding competition award notices.

Many consumers in the Western Isles have contacted the Councils Trading Standards section after having received a letter and brochure, which appear to state that the recipient has won a free holiday after having entered a recent competition.

It turns out that what you have actually received is a free holiday certificate. A processing fee of £29.50 is required for the holiday which, it is claimed will be offered within the next 18 months.

Trading Standards say that they are concerned about the viability of the scheme and are not able to endorse it.

Other award notice letters currently circulating the islands claim that the recipient is guaranteed to have won an award from a list of monetary and other prizes. In order to claim their prize they must call a 24 hour claim line . If you do not call, the letter claims that your prize will be reallocated to someone else.

On checking the small print, the calls cost £1 per minute and calls are expected to last about 10 minutes. Closer inspection of the awards show a prize of male or female neckchains.

Trading Standards Officers suspect that these neckchains will be of a value of less than the cost of the phonecall.

Marina MacSween Consumer Protection Officer at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said " with all offers claiming to be free, our standard advice is not to send money in response to such letters unless you are prepared for the possibility of losing it."

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She added "These schemes are now being investigated by the appropriate authorities."

Comhairle nan Eileans Siar's Trading Standards section can be contacted on (01851)709577

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk