A SCAM which conned householders into calling premium rate telephone numbers has been uncovered.

Two companies from Manchester and Ireland were each fined £20,000 after a mail-out campaign told people they could win up to £75,000.

Earlier this year, letters posted to homes in Hartlepool urged recipients to call a premium rate number, saying they could win a cash award worth at least £1,000 and as much as £75,000.

But suspicions were aroused, and trading standards officers took up the case with the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (Icstis), which is responsible for investigating complaints about the promotion and operation of premium rate services.

Icstis found that two companies were involved and had breached the code of practice. The companies, BCH Digital of Manchester and Ireland-based Prime Media Services were both fined £20,000.

The scam claimed that callers would win a minimum of £1,000 if all four premium rate numbers were called. This would cost £40.

However, investigations showed that callers were likely to win considerably less than £100, and perhaps as little as £1.

Michael Welsh, Hartlepool Borough Council's principal trading standards officer said: "This is a great victory and will hopefully serve as a warning to fraudsters out there who prey on vulnerable and honest citizens in an attempt to make unscrupulous financial gains.

"Also, people should check their telephone account to see if they were conned during the same period."

During January and February this year, the numbers residents were asked to call were 0906 661 1169/0449/1326/0352.

Anyone who called them should be able to claim a refund.

If anyone receives any similar letters, or is suspicious about any scam, they are advised to contact a local trading standards office.

In Hartlepool, the number to call is (01429) 523362.