This week, City of York Trading Standards wants to alert local residents and businesses to the current sharp practices which might be arriving in their morning mail.

The department receives dozens of calls each month from residents who have opened their post to find they have unexpectedly won a prize draw.

The most recent example of this is a letter guaranteeing a cash prize or merchandise item.

Recipients are asked to pay £9.99 and can win either a cash prize or jewellery worth £20.

However, only the very sharp-eyed will notice that the small print states that the chances of a cash prize are 1-in-50,000, but for a jewellery prize they are 1:1.

But why would you need to pay a fee to win a prize and is the prize really worth the fee you have to pay?

Local businesses are also being targeted by unscrupulous companies eager to relieve them of cash. Hundreds of local businesses have received official-looking documentation requesting payment of more than £100 for registration under the Data Protection Act.

However, these documents do not originate from the Office of the Information Commissioner, but have been sent by private firms which have no authority to demand money and do not act in an official capacity. If a business is required to register with the Office of the Information Commissioner this can be done directly for a fee of £35.

Other businesses have received unsolicited invoices for £499 detailing a charge for an internet-naming service. Firms advised that the product offers an easier way of navigating the internet making them more accessible to potential customers, but the businesses who receive the invoice may not notice the small print says that businesses who do not want the service should disregard the invoice.

Because the invoices create the impression that they are for services already ordered, some companies might just pass them for payment without scrutiny.

If you are not sure if the letters you receive are genuine or not, then phone Trading Standards on 01904 551562 to speak to an adviser or to make an appointment.

The website address is www.york.gov.uk/business/tradingstandards

Updated: 16:13 Wednesday, October 01, 2003