HOUSEHOLDERS should not be taken in by fantastic scratch card offers, a councillor is warning.

Coun Douglas Stewart (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms) recently scratched off the panels on the four different cards he received in one day through his front door and in newspapers.

He was a 'winner' on all of them but said he had to ring a premium rate phone number to claim his prize.

The premium rate calls cost between £4 and £5 and, while some cards gave an address as an alternative, others insisted the call must be made.

"I'm very concerned people could be taken in by these cards," he said. "They seem very enticing and offer fantastic-looking prizes.

"I think people will rush to the phone to find out about their prize before reading the small print and realising they'll be spending £5."

After spending up to £5 on a call, say trading standards officers, the prize winner will almost certainly be disappointed. The 'top prize' could be money-off holiday vouchers. But it is still necessary to pay for the holiday and using the voucher means you cannot get travel agents' and tour operators' discounts.

Other top prizes can include high street vouchers which probably require a great deal to be spent for only a couple of pounds discount and poor quality jewellery worth less than the price of the phone call. The cards in question do not appear to be illegal as the prizes offered are sent out and the price of the calls is stated on the card.

However, if the prizes on offer are never won or a premium rate call charge is not declared, this could be an offence and trading standards should be notified.

Swindon trading standards officers also warn people to be sceptical of unsolicited e-mails promising miracle money-making schemes.

"These are just two examples of offers that really are too good to be true," said Coun Jemima Milton, (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), lead member for transport and environment.

The cards seem to target the vulnerable who are most desperate for some extra money but can least afford to waste what they have.

Coun Milton added: "I urge Swindon people, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, to keep hold of their hard-earned cash instead of lining the pockets of the people behind these schemes."