Alan talks about an offer of cash he received through the post. But was it junk mail or a genuine offer?
Gloria Hunniford: On average, every household receives 377 pieces of junk mail through its letter box each year. And it can be very hard to decide what is junk and what is a genuine offer or promise.
Gloria Hunniford: A dilemma faced by Alan last year, when he started getting letters saying he’d won huge cash prizes.
Alan Downing: With the confirmation of the amount, we hereby confirm, the amount of this cheque is £15,500.
Gloria Hunniford: The letter came from a mail order company called ‘Star Shopping’ which has a PO address in Dublin, they also sent Alan their catalogue of products and an assurance that if he ordered something from the catalogue, the money would be sent right away. So, Alan placed an order…
Alan Downing: I got this plastic squeegy thing on a piece of plastic, but no cheque.
Gloria Hunniford: And funnily enough, there still hasn’t been. Although over the next six months, Alan received a further 25 letters, insisting that the money was still waiting for him at Star Shopping headquarters and all he had to do to get it was order more.
Alan Downing: £20,500 this one “Mr Downing, this is the best day of your life” I thought that was my wedding day? “You are the one and only lucky beneficiary of the big bank cheque for £20,500.” They don’t give up with this!
Gloria Hunniford: But I’m afraid Alan has given up on ever receiving his prize. Still, at least he didn’t waste too much money.
Gloria Hunniford: And Alan has some words of wisdom for anyone who receives a letter like this, suggesting that they’ve won a cash prize.
Alan Downing: My advice to anybody that gets this is don’t even look at it, just stick it in the bin, or return to sender because you’re not going to get it.
Quick tips for tutors
A short video about an offer of thousands of pounds in cash prizes that Alan received in the post.
He was told that all he had to do to receive his prize was order something from the company. Months later, Alan is still waiting for his 'prize money' yet is still receiving offers of cash prizes from the company.
May be used in class to stimulate discussion around the featured story. Alternatively could be used to introduce the following topic(s):
Reading and understanding
Fact or opinion
