A COMPETITION winner has revealed he has “given up” and “gone numb” after being refused his £18,000 prize money.
Dafydd Bayliss, 31, was “over the moon” after discovering his online entry had won him a BMW M3 or £18,000.
After spending three years taking part in Level Up Giveaways, the first-time buyer opted for the cash prize with the opportunity to develop a new kitchen and bathroom.
The 31-year-old from Blackwood in Caerphilly county, south Wales, bought five online entries for just under one pound for a draw on September 15.
Having spoken to the firm’s director, Anton Hall, the following day, all seemed to be going well.
However, the joyous win quickly came to a halt after not receiving the money three months on.
Bayliss told the BBC: “I have kind of given up.
“It was the first time I’d won and it was typical that he stopped paying everyone.
“I have just gone numb to it. I have probably got a 5% chance of getting the money.”
His mum reported the firm to Trading Standards and Action Fraud on her son’s behalf after hearing about the loss.
Despite being promised the funds within days of winning, Bayliss is just one of several who have had similar issues with Level Up Giveaways, the BBC reports.
Originally based in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, it seems the company could owe tens of thousands of pounds to entitled winners.
Hall told the BBC: “I’m just someone who tried and did do good whose business has failed unfortunately.
“As for a message for those not paid up till now, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they are, it may just take a while.”
He also explained how he hopes to fix the firm.
Just ten days before Christmas, the company’s website appeared to stop working.
Bayliss claims that he has not had communication from the director since the beginning of November when he was informed his bank accounts were “on hold”.
Incredibly, the slightly disgruntled winner has managed to receive the money – but not from the competition company.
Robbie Savage from Rev Comps, a Devon-based competition operator, donated the full funds to Bayliss despite having no ties to the original online entry.
Savage revealed he hopes to be part of the push for more regulation within the prize industry.
Others made claims along similar lines, including an insurance broker whose winnings were halted after five months, despite being promised payments for a further seven months.
Scott Boyle from Wakefield originally won £1,200 in May but has not received a penny or heard from Level Up Giveaways since October.
Manchester-based, Phil Harkins, never received the 20g gold bar that he won in a draw in October.
A 36-year-old father and restaurant manager from Belfast also admitted he has been left “gutted” after entering a giveaway with the business.
The Sun has approached Level Up Giveaways and Anton Hall for comment.
AN “INSTANT” win promotion offers a random selection of winning tickets which are then distributed without delay.
It is up to the company offering the competition to ensure they have “adequate resources” in place to follow through with the winnings.
This includes planning “adequate time” for each stage of the competition.
Promoters are also responsible for their promotions, and must not cause “unnecessary disappointment” or “give consumers justifiable grounds for complaint”.
Those affected by similar difficulties may be pleased to understand that if a prize cannot be awarded, promoters still have a responsibility to award a “reasonable equivalent”.
Anyone unsure by their rights in a situation involving a marketing prize draw should head to the ASA or Gambling Commission websites to find out more.
Source: ASA
