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Unsolicited Communications

Unsolicited communication is a legitimate marketing tool but it can also include deliberate scams.

Unsolicited communications are often sent to consumers telling them that they have won or are entitled to claim a large sum of money or an attractive prize. To collect the money or prize, the consumer needs to send a payment, of typically between £15 and £20 but possibly much more, to the originator for administration or processing costs. 

More often than not, the money has to be sent to a PO Box. The PO Box may be within or outside the UK but the source of these mailings and/or telephone calls are usually overseas (Canada, USA, Australia, the Netherlands and Austria are among the most common sources).

There are hundreds of types of scams – fake lotteries and prize draws, incredible schemes to make money quickly, fake investment plans, work from home schemes – the list goes on and on. And the initial contact may come in the post, by email or on the telephone.

See our leaflet for further details.