If you are in any doubt about an offer you have received, you should contact Consumer Direct before responding to the offer. Replying to just one scam letter can result in your personal details being added to a so-called 'suckers list'. This list will be sold amongs fraudulent marketeers and you may end up receiving tens of scam mailings and telephone calls a day. Consumer Direct will be able to give you clear and practical consumer advice:
The following tips can also help avoid becoming the victim of a junk mail scam if you have received an unsolicited offer and you are not a hundred per cent sure about it:
Protect your personal information
Give as little information as possible and never give your bank or credit card details to a company or person you don't know or trust.
Know who you're dealing with
Check the company's name, street address and telephone number. If they can't provide these or if they only have a PO Box number, don’t do business with them – you won’t be able to contact them after you've parted with your money. A telephone number alone is not enough, as they could simply not answer your call or put you on hold forever.
Take your time
Don't make immediate decisions if you have any doubts about an offer or the person or company you're dealing with. Calls to 'act now' are designed to fool you into making irrational decisions.
Read the small print
Reading small print is nobody's favourite pasttime, but it will help making an informed decision. If anything in the small print is unclear, ask for clarification, preferably in writing.
Never pay for a 'free' gift
Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it's free or a gift, you shouldn't have to pay for it - free means free.