Police issue scam warning

Police are urging Marlborough people to use a healthy dose of scepticism when they get promises in letters, texts or emails which sound too good to be true.

The warning comes after two Blenheim woman were contacted by scammers this week.

Townsend shop assistant Karen Leaming received a text message on Monday saying she had won US$5.8 million (NZ$8m) as part of a Fifa 2014 international award.

To claim the prize, she had to email a Mrs JMcAfee, at an email address listed.

"I was surprised. I've had a few through email but none by text.

"I mean, who would give me US$5.8m? And being US money, it just sounded dodgy," said Mrs Leaming.

Mrs Leaming contacted the Blenheim police, who advised her to delete the text message.

Redwood Retirement Village resident Ethel Gardner received a letter offering tickets to a Spanish lottery.

The letter was addressed with Mrs Gardner's full name and details. It said she was part of a select group of people chosen to enter a NZ$331 million prize draw, and all she had to do was send away her credit-card details.

The envelope came from a priority processing centre in the Netherlands.

She was "not for a minute" convinced, but was worried that others could be.

"I'm aware of them (scams), but I thought a lot of people might be short of money at the moment and might fall for it."

The acting officer in charge of the Blenheim police, Sergeant Tony Yardley, said people regularly notified the police about scams.

"Our advice is if you get one of these types of messages on phone or email, don't reply at all. Certainly don't give out any of your personal details, like bank account details. You've got to be sure of who you're dealing with at the other end, otherwise it's not worth going there."

- The Marlborough Express