CONSUMER ALERT!

14 Aug 2007

CASE WARNS THE PUBLIC ABOUT HONG KONG LOTTERY CLAIMS

CASE hotline receives 13 feedback on the issue within one month

From 19 July to 13 August this year, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) has received 13 calls from members of the public who said they had received calls notifying them that they had won a lottery in Hong Kong.

In at least six cases, the consumers were told to transfer money for processing fees or taxes to a designated account. In at least two other cases, consumers were asked to divulge their identification number and bank account number.

In view of the increasing number of calls received, CASE would like to advise consumers:

• It is not possible to win a lottery or sweepstake without buying a ticket.
• Authentic lotteries or sweepstakes would not ask for advance fees.
• Confidential information such as identification number and bank account number should not be revealed to unknown persons without proper verification of the other party’s identity and purpose.

Members of the public who have received such calls should exercise caution. If they have revealed sensitive information or transferred funds overseas for the purpose of “processing fees” or “taxes” in response to such calls, they should notify the police immediately.

CASE Executive Director Seah Seng Choon said: “CASE is a consumer organisation and we can only handle disputes between a consumer and a company. Issues such as possible fraud or scams do not fall under our purview. However, we are concerned about the spate of calls we are receiving from members of the public about winning lottery in Hong Kong and would like to alert members of the public to be wary of such calls.”

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