Don’t be a prize loser...

AN Alt woman is warning Oldhamers to be on their guard against hoaxers after her 89-year-old mother was twice targeted in a dodgy postal prize offer.

Kathy Meakin’s mother, Annie Robinson received a letter telling her she had scooped a top prize, but that she had to phone the premium rate phone line or fill in the claim form to get her hands on the booty.

The letter, from the Unclaimed Prize Register based in Ross-On-Wye, said: “You have been selected to receive a prize.

“One of the following prizes is ready to dispatch to you right now: £25,000 cash; a new car (or £10,000 cash); a 42” HD Ready TV; a Zurich Watch; £750 of premium bonds or £250 Argos vouchers.”

Tantalisingly, the letter added: “If you fail to return your claim form, the £25,000 top prize will definitely go to someone else.”

Mrs Robinson ignored the letter and three months later received a final reminder, saying that if they did not hear from her before the closing date, the award would be handed to someone else, adding that the £25,000 reward had not yet been claimed.

Mrs Meakin said: “When my mum received the first letter, I tried to explain how they got money off you, so she ignored it, but with this one, she was thinking: ‘perhaps I have won something’. Once again I have tried to explain.

“I just want to warn other older people in the area about these letters and what to expect.”