Yesterday when I retrieved my Saturday mail a white envelope, sans a return address, caught my attention. I sat down and opened this mysterious envelope first and was shocked at what was within, a check for the sum of $4,789.00 made out to yours truly. WOW, I said to myself, this is too good to be true.
For a fleeting moment I pondered what I would do with this newfound wealth, as I was informed I had won $500,000, and the check was meant to cover the expenses of receiving my winnings.
After running a search for Publishers Sweepstakes Commission the truth came out, I’m still an hourly worker for the Los Angeles Times, this is just another scam.
Here’s how this scam runs, you deposit the check into your bank account, after calling the company, and send them a check for $2,900, sounding fishy yet? They will cash your check before the check that arrived in the mail and was deposited into your account is rejected. Instead of being rewarded this large amount of cash, you will be taken for a large amount of cash, so beware.
Below is a copy of the check, and the letter in verbatim that accompanied the check. Here's what a Google search returns.
PUBLISHERS SWEEPSTAKES COMMISSION
September 15, 2008
EDWARD PADGETT
928 ALLEGANY CIR
SAN DIMAS CA 91773
We are delighted to announce your name as the grand prizewinner of the Publishers Sweepstakes Draw. Your total winning is five hundred twenty two thousand dollars ($522,000) in USD funds. Congratulations!
The Publishers Sweepstakes Registry will make all necessary arrangements in order for you to receive your prize. Please contact your agent Mr. Christain Galloway without any delay at :
1-866-403-1093 ext 1 ............ Confirmation number QK8UP
A four thousand seven hundred and eighty nine dollar ($4,789_ check is included to pay all fees. Please contact Christain Galloway before deposting the check. We strongly advice you to keep your confirmation number and prize confidential. This is for safety and security purposes. This prize may be revoked if not claimed within ten business days of receipt of this letter.
Our business hours are from Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm Eastern Standard Times.
Congratulations again,
Adam Zumwalt
Chief Financial Officer
Ed, can you bump this back to the top and keep it there?
ReplyDeleteLabel it as such: SCAM
My employee just got one today. She took it to BofA was told it was no good. So they went and called the man and he said, "Why would you take it to a bank?"
I made my email available on my blog ... curious to what may come in.
ReplyDeleteThe spammers are quite aggressive, no? I have found that many single millionaire women are wanting to get to know me better. I also win the Irish lotto 10 times a week!!
BOA ~ Bank of Africa also has a stockpile of loot waiting for me.
The craftiest?? They send a mail that looks just like Yahoo sent it, of course, it is NOT from them.
If it sounds too good to be true .... (well, you know)
Google says YOU are #1
ReplyDelete... get a page rank increase??? 8~)
My mother in law just got a similar notification of winning a prize with the urgency of losing it, a confidential security code and she must send money first. It actually in some ways sounded good but I decided to look online for any information and I thank you very much for your website. You helped us decide not to participate and I am very grateful. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteI just received a phone call today from "publishers sweepstakes" claiming I had won a chance to win 25,000, a car, or a trip to Ireland. They also told me I got a$100 voucher to use at Walmart, target, etc and 4 free magazine subscriptions. But then also that I get 3 magazines for like 3 something a week and proceeded to try to get my credit card info from me. HELLO I'm not that stupid. These people are ridiculous! Not to mention they called me like 20x's in the past 3 days.
ReplyDeleteA very engaging gal at an LA number(310-543-4364) called wishing to "confirm" my address and phone number, etc. This was essential because my "national bank or major credit card company" had entered me in a sweepstakes and this was pre-notification that I would likely win $25,000 in cash in a December 2013 drawing. Right.... I have no bank account or credit cards.
ReplyDeleteWhen I asked a few penetrating questions and caught her in several contradictory story shiifts, she hung up. I was born at night. But not last night!
I just received a call of a lifetime-I won $5000.00 plus a $1000. gift card to use at any store for food! Plus 3 magazine subscriptions for the low price of $1.99 each a month! How nice this "gentleman" was, claiming Publishers Sweepstakes has been in business for over 50 yrs, the Federal Goverment requires certain information, such as my credit card number. blah blah blah. 50 years of ripping people off--right? When I told him I don't see the need for giving him my credit card number, he hung up. I tried calling the number back, it just rang and rang then a solid beep. Scammer didn't get me!!
ReplyDeleteI too just received a phone call from "James" who wanted to confirm few things with me since I just became the top winner of $1,000,00.00! When I informed him that I did not register for anything related to this company he tried to convince me that I had, indeed registered and could I just please confirm some "important" information - when I pressed him for more info on his company, he simply hung up - and likely went on to the next number on his long list....beware - these folks call using local area codes....
ReplyDelete