I received a letter from Ameriprise Investments Inc. informing me that I was a winner of $175, 000.00 in a North American Prize pool totalling $3.5 million dollars. The envelope did not have a return address. A check was inclosed in the amount of $4, 675.65 from Sysco Services Inc., P.O. Box 75330, Des Plaines, Il 60016 drawn on First Union National Bank, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which I was not suppose to deposit until I had called an agent at Ameriprize Investments in Canada. I did not deposit the check, I knew it was a scam and it distresses me that some people may fall for this scam.
I called the company in Canada and an "agent" read from a script, put me on hold, came back on the line, read the script again, and then said that for $3, 000.00 for fees and taxes they would send me a check of $170, 000.00. I said that I would pay the IRS directly for taxes and the "agent" hung up on me.
I was not scammed but want to get these so-called company names out now for others to see. I talked with a police officer and he said my name and address was probably pulled from a mailing list. Be aware that your name is on many mailing lists, especially if you have good credit. And never deposit a check into your account unless you know who sent it to you because your bank account number is put on the back of the check.
Remember - if it looks to good to be true, it is.
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