JTI is warning retailers not to be taken in by a voucher scam being used by some tobacco shoppers in the run up to the festive season.

The golden ticket style vouchers claim to offer shoppers £5 off key JTI brands including Silk Cut, Mayfair and B&H.

A number of retailers in the West Midlands have already been approached by shoppers with the vouchers.

JTI told Convenience Store that the vouchers were “not provided by, affiliated with or in any way related to JTI UK” and were therefore “a scam”.

“We would advise all retailers in the UK, upon being presented with this voucher, to refuse to accept it as a valid form of payment and to immediately contact their local Trading Standards department,” a JTI spokesman said.

The company also urged retailers to keep CCTV footage of anyone caught attempting to use the vouchers as it could help Trading Standards in their investigations.

Retailers can find the contact details for their local Trading Standards at www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office

This voucher scam is not to be confused with a legitimate promotion that JTI is currently running for independent retailers.

JTI is currently offering retailers the chance to win a share of £7,500-worth of stock if they find one of 200 golden tickets hidden in outers of pricemarked 20g Amber Leaf Signature Blend.