WE STAMP OUT SCAM’
ROYAL Mail has promised to stop millions of “deceptive” mailshots reaching pensioners’ homes.
The personally addressed letters, with Royal Mail branding, are delivered to pensioners under a lucrative bulk mail contract with private operator Citipost.
But they came under attack for allegedly targeting the frail and elderly with claims they had won big value cash prizes or gifts such as high definition TVs.
Campaigners say the mass mailing for French firm Afibel duped people into buying unwanted products in order to claim their “prize”.
Royal Mail decided to scrap its deal to deliver the mailshots after we raised concerns over their impact.
Thanking us for highlighting the issue, managing director of letters, Stephen Agar, said: “Following a review, Royal Mail has informed Citipost we will not deliver the mailing in its current form.” Citipost added: “We do not and will not support mailings of this type.”
Marilyn Baldwin of the Think Jessica charity – which helps victims of mass marketing scams – called the letters “a deliberate act of deception”.
She said: “We’ve had thousands of complaints. I’m delighted your involvement led to them cancel this.
Afibel said: “We work hard to ensure all mailings get the balance right. All our promotions are validated by legal advisers in conjunction with the Royal Mail However, we take customer feedback seriously.” A BRIEFCASE filled with gold bars and £34,000 cash was found by a tree after its owner forgot it while locking his bike in Berlin. TWO dopes tried to buy cocaine from a cop using money from police station’s cash point on High Street in Hartford, Connecticut.