Unclaimed Prize Register?

dazzer21

This is going to sound naive, but I'm just keen to check out the legalities of this...

I get a letter from the "Unclaimed Prize Register" - the only reason I'm writing this because somewhere in the back of my head, I have the notion that there is such a thing - OR SOMETHING SIMILAR!

The first sentence reads "Do you recall filling in and mailing an entry coupon for a competition, prize promotion or special offer?". It's a bit vague, as it doesn't say when this might have happened, but I'm prepared to go with it so far...

Next, it says that I've been allocated one of the following:

- a Cheque for £20,000
- a Panasonic 42" HD Plasma TV
- a £2,000 Shopping Spree (or £2,000 Cash)
- a Digital Camera
- a Sony DVD camcorder
- or £250 Premium Bonds

Incidentally, in the small print at the bottom it states that the electrical prizes require a £6.50 charge to be paid to cover insurance and delivery.

The letter contains a "unique" six-digit allocation code. Finally, there is a premium rate (£1.50 per minute, 6 minute maximum call length) phone number to call, or a postal address to send to.

Finally, there is a PS at the end stating that "You have definitely been selected to receive one of these awards."

Personally, I think it stinks of con. After all, if I'd won a prize, then surely it would be a specific item, and not one from a list of possibilities. If nothing else, this post may hopefully be of use to someone, either in the positive or at least to stop anyone from falling into some kind of trap. I'm just interested to see if anyone else may have recieved something like this and decided to dip their toe in the water to see what it was all about - and if such a thing is even legal and if not who to camplain to.

dzug

You have 'won' a digital camera. It will cost you £9 for the phone call and £6.50 p/p. It will be 'worth' about a tenner if that.

Magazines are full of flyers like this. They are worded so as to be legal.

imoneyop

As dzug says, your prize will be worth a lot less than the money you have spent getting it.

It's a variation of the scratchcards that you see in magazines. You scratch-off and see that you have won a prize and have to ring up to find out what.

imoneyop

Just did a search on Google and this came up

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF_ADJ_42314.htm

Take a look at the name of the company operating the "Unclaimed Prizes register - McIntyre & Dodd Marketing Ltd and do a search for them on here and I'm sure you'll find a rather lengthy thread.

Here it is - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=102018&highlight=Mcintyre+Dodd

moonrakerz

dazzer21 wrote: »

After all, if I'd won a prize, then surely it would be a specific item, and not one from a list of possibilities.

If you didn't enter the competition how could you have won a genuine prize ????

angelatgraceland

If it was genuine they would just send it to you! The only competition I won-they did just that! When you get this rubbish in your post just shout out loudly "ITS ANOTHER SCAM"! and bin it!

Paul_Varjak

I cannot even believe you are even considering it may be genuine enough to even be asking the question!

angelatgraceland

Yes-lets say its a digital camera-cheapest option. It could be one of the keyring type worth a fiver or a cheopo one like tesco sell for a tenner. They probaly paid a quid for it bulkbuy! Thats if you ever get it at all.

garyhopef2s

I thought it was against the law to do these types of 'competitions' without leaving a postal address so that you could claim your prize without phoning the premium telephone line. Check the small prize then £6.50 isn't too bad to postage, if it's a camera just don't send off for it.

Gary

Butlers1982

I cannot even believe you are even considering it may be genuine

I know, you must be a spammers favourite!

These have been doing the rounds for years and years.

Endora_2

I too received a letter from these people this morning but it was addressed to my brother who had lived with us for a while, so I think it is safe to assume that this is a scam. My brother is now living in Germany and has been for the past 4 years so I don't think he filled in an entry coupon for this "so-called" competition. Another piece of paper for my trusty shredder I believe ha ha!:rolleyes: