A WARNING has been issued to people in the region to beware of a company offering prize money in return for a priority handling fee.
Some residents have received a letter from a company called Cheque Awards Registry, using a PO Box number in Cricklewood, London.
The letter informs the recipient they have won £1,100 and asks for £15 to be sent to the post box address for priority handling.
However, after the terms and conditions were examined by Stockton Borough Council's trading standards department it was discovered there is only a one in 450,000 chance of winning the money.
Dave Kitching, trading standards officer, said: "If you are asked to send money in order to claim a prize, chances are it may be a scam. Think carefully before sending money in response to unsolicited letters or to PO Box numbers."
Trading standards have had several people contact them about this particular letter and have reported the matter to the Office of Fair Trading.
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