Like Wade in Florida (Posted 5/11/07), I also received an awards letter dated May 1, 2007 stating I had one a prize under ticket number 041-906-331. I also received a Cashier's Check in the amount of $2350.00 payable through Macatawa Bank. The check is the initial payment against a total prize winning of $68, 000 "to pay for accounting, tax processing, and clearance fees." The address of this bank is 10753 Macatawa Drive, Holland MI, 49423. The letter also stated that the check should be deposited and wait 24 - 48 hours for it to clear. This is an odd requirement for a cashier's check. It then said to call the number above and ask for Carol Elliott.
When I called the number (before depositing the check), I spoke to "Jessica" who asked for my claim number & name & said she would go look up the file. She placed me on hold and after about 10 to 15-minutes, I was disconnected. I called back and talked to Jessica again, told her what happened and she promised "I wouldn't be disconnected this time". She put me on hold again, & I was once again disconnected after 10-15 minutes.
The third time I called back, the call was forwarded to a voice mail system that said, "You have reached 905-920-2433, sorry but there is no more room to record messages..." Note that this is a different telephone number than the one above, so for some reason, the 519 number is actually call forwarding to the 905 number. This may imply that my telephone bill will have some outrageous charges on it, but that will not be known until I receive the bill. Both area codes however are in the Ontario/Toronto areas of Canada.
As far as the cashiers check, I believe it is real. I will likely open up a new account & let it sit there a few weeks. As far as the balance of the stated prize payout of $65, 650, I will do all I can to enforce the committed payout. Therefore, Jessica, Carol Elliott or whoever you are, I am looking for you and I expect my money! I also expect that you will not put me on hold the next time I call.
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