To warn people in Inverness of a postal con that has tricked thousands in the UK into phoning a premium rate phone number.

Janet Christine Johnstone (45), of Drumdevan Crescent, Lochardil, received a card through the post from a firm calling itself Parcel Delivery Service (PDS).

The official-looking card claimed a delivery of a digital camera was waiting for her and all she had to do was phone an 090 number.

But when she phoned the number it was out of service, so she contacted Highland Council's trading standards department which informed her it was a scam.

She said: "I am usually quite cautious about these things but it looked official.

"It came through my door stating I had won a digital camera that the firm couldn't deliver and I had to phone the number to claim my prize."

According to websites dedicated to scam-watching, thousands of PDS "delivery cards" have been sent out across the UK.

The websites claim the company is based in Belize, South America, which makes it difficult to discover who is behind the con.

This scam is under investigation by the premium rate regulator ICTIS.

The cards ask people to call the company to get a "security confirmation code".

But the small print states the prize can only be obtained by phoning an 090 premium rate number which is connected to a recorded message that costs £1.50 per minute.

When the caller rings the premium rate number, they are met by a recorded voice which promises you will shortly be given the "security confirmation code".

Before you get the code you are first asked a series of personal "market research" questions about your marital status and how often you drink alcohol.

Ten minutes of questions pass before you are finally given the code for your camera. By that time you have run up a £15 phone bill.

Mrs Johnstone said: "Trading standards knew of the scam and told me it was a common trick.

"Luckily, I didn't get hit for £15."

Principal trading standards officer Bob Jones said: "Postal scams using premium rate numbers are common.

"The public should read things carefully before they act when things like this drop through their door.

"If something appears too good to be true, there usually is a trick somewhere in it."

c.hay@highland-news.co.uk

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