HOUSEHOLDERS are urged to be alert to a possible scam involving holiday offers made by telephone.

Trading standards officials in North Yorkshire have received a stream of complaints from people who have had calls from an American company stating that they have won a discounted holiday.

The callers claim the prize is the result of a shopping survey. The selling technique then moves on and the consumers are asked to give their credit card details.

But the consumers do not remember ever taking part in such a survey - and at least one has already had some money deducted from his credit card account.

The trading standards team is concerned that the whole thing could be an elaborate scam, although at the moment they have no evidence to support their fear.

Head of trading standards Stuart Pudney said: "We are always concerned when people are contacted out of the blue and asked to give credit card details.

"While there may be some legal safeguards because of using the credit card, our advice nevertheless is not to respond to such unsolicited calls, especially when they originate from outside the controls normally operated by UK and European law. We would urge consumers to exercise caution and notify us of any similar calls that they receive."