RESIDENTS are being urged to bin any "get rich quick" schemes that come through the post.

Trading standards say they have received complaints about a three-page letter which purports to come from a David Rhodes of Norfolk.

It asks people to send £10 to the person named at the top of a list, then to photocopy 200 copies of the letter and send it to 200 people out of a phone directory. The letter "guarantees" the recipient £40,000.

Investigations have revealed that this "David Rhodes" does not appear to exist, despite numerous public appeals. No one has come forward to claim that the letter has provided them with riches.

Trading standards say this is nothing more than a chain letter, and warn people who take it up that they are likely to end up out of pocket by £65 and several hours hard work addressing envelopes.

Ms Angela Lomax, principal trading standards officer, said: "These letters tend to prey on the vulnerable. They promise vast riches when in fact you will only end up out of pocket and spending money you can't afford. The best advice is to throw these in the bin."

Officers say that several other scams are circulating, and advise people that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Things to be wary of are:

Paying a fee in order to claim a prize. The prize is probably worth less than the fee you have to pay.

Letters from clairvoyants abroad asking for money to gain good luck.

Awards or notifications of large money wins. The small print is probably offering to put you in a draw to win.

Official-looking invoices for payment to release a shipment of goods addressed to you.

Cheques made out to you, often in a foreign currency, requiring a document fee before releasing the money.

Phone calls, usually from abroad, claiming awards of large sums of money. But you have to send money to pay taxes, personal delivery flights or other fees.

To help combat bogus schemes, a leaflet titled "Prizewinner or Prize fool" is available by calling 253 5566.