What's been dropping through your letterbox lately? Prize draws, scratch cards, holiday offers, cash prizes?

York Trading Standards is keen to draw attention to the current mailshots which are doing the rounds in York.

Have you been invited to send for a TV for only £33.49? This offer offers customers one of five different types of TV - ranging from a Sony 28in digital Nicam stereo set, to a 5.5in black and white portable. The reverse of the mailshot - the small print - states that there are one of each of the desirable TVs, and 5,000 of the black and whites. The probabilities are obvious, so it's only worth responding to this if you won't be disappointed by the 5in black and white set.

Another mailshot promises an "open and unpaid" cash award with an outstanding amount of £1976.25. An 'acknowledgement and claim' voucher indicates a processing fee of £14.95 should be enclosed to cover express handling, and ensure receipt of a portfolio of cash value certificates.

Although recipients are told they are officially eligible to receive the unpaid award, only the small print draws attention to the fact that this is a prize draw with odds of 1:250,000, to be drawn in December 2002. Entrants should therefore not hold their breath in anticipation of receiving £2000!

Finally, the apparently exciting letter that has been popping through thousands of doors in York offering congratulations on winning a free holiday as a result of entering a competition "in recent months". Whilst most recipients did not remember entering such a draw, the company wanted a £29.50 processing fee before the 'free' holiday certificate could be despatched to the 'lucky' prize winners.

The money had to be sent to the company, originally at a mailing address in Bournemouth, and lately in Manchester. Prize-winning holidaymakers were told they could wait up to 18 months for the holiday to be made available, and that they may have to pay more money if they want to choose their destination, date of travel and departure airport.

York Trading Standards warned householders across York to be very cautious about this apparently tempting mailshot. As with any offer like this, readers were advised that if you cannot afford to lose your money, do not gamble on the offer.

The latest news is that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has presented petitions in the High Court to wind up the company in the public interest. The Official Receiver has been appointed as provisional liquidator pending court hearings on October 24, 2001. Full details are available from us

At the end of the day, if you need advice on this or any other consumer matter, please contact the Consumer Advice team on (01904) 551562 or call in at our reception at 9 St Leonard's Place, York. The fax number is (01904) 551590 and email is trading.standards@york.gov.uk