SUFFOLK residents are being warned not to be sucked in by the lure of easy millions this year.

SUFFOLK residents are being warned not to be sucked in by the lure of easy millions this year.

Trading standards officers with Suffolk County Council are warning that scam junk mail can be a big menace and that people should be careful about parting with their personal details if they receive letters claiming to offer large cash prizes.

In the space of one week an elderly man from Felixstowe received more than 20 letters claiming wins of between £1,000 and £2,000,000.

Each letter made claims of easy riches but only if he sent back sums of between £10 and £60 first.

If the man had replied to all the letters he received in that week he would have paid out almost £400 for the imaginary £4million he was supposed to have won.

Joanna Spicer, the county council's portfolio holder for public protection, said: “Always be on your guard against people trying to con you out of your hard earned money. Never believe that you have been specially selected to win millions of pounds.”

For more advice on how to deal with scams call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.