RESIDENTS are being warned about a postcode lottery scam that has been doing the rounds in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council have been notified by a number of residents who have received a letter seemingly from a postcode lottery company claiming that they have been successful in winning thousands of pounds in prize money.

The fake company then request that a processing fee needs to be paid before any winnings are handed out.

Residents have been urged to not reply to these types of letters as they are invariably a scam, the council argues.

The warning issued by the council stated that: “Any legitimate competition would not contact the winner this way or request money and people should be suspicious of any correspondence they receive like this.”

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public protection said: “What seems like an obvious scam to one person may seem legitimate to someone else, so we’re asking that people should be on their guard and report anything they think is suspicious.

“Falling victim to one of these is a horrible experience but if we work together we can prevent it from happening.”

If anyone has any suspicions they should contact ActionFraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website at actionfraud.police.uk