Regional Financial A Division Of Cape Regional, 2Stone Harbor Blvd, Cape May House, NJ
Comments from a "lucky winner of unclaimed price money.."

For a hundred times in succession another one of those "Congratulations! You are the lucky winner of.." letters arrived in the mail. But this time it was different. Along with the letter, an actual check was enclosed, for the amount of $3, 885.84. That's right! Here is what the letter says:

" Date... Ref #NPF...
We are pleased to inform you through this letter that our network shows you as the lucky winner of unclaimed prize money in the amount of Fifty Seven Thousand Dollars ($57, 000) in United States funds. The system indicates that, your name was randomly selected through a computerized ballot system as a winner for the 2007 sweepstakes draws. Congratulations!

All participants were selected through a computerized ballot system drawn from Reader's Digest, Publishers Clearing House, Online Sweepstakes, Internet Games, etc.

Enclosed is a Check of ($3, 885.84). Which covers both administrative payment and clearance fees of your winnings. For authorizing and activation of your check, please contact your agent Monica Meyers at tel: 1-306-351-2139. Your winnings must be claimed not later than Oct 15th, 2007.

Your name is attached to claim number US/CA... We advice you keep your claim number confidentially secured until your claim is processed and funds remitted. As this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claim.
Please remember to quote your claim number in all correspondence with us in order to avoid unnecessary delays. Congratulations again from our staff and sponsors.

Regina B Shoul
Prize Co-ordinator

Regional Financial
A Division of Cape Regional, 2 stone Harbor Blvd, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210"

I have participated in those contests before, and although I was 99% convinced that it was a fraudulent check, out of curiosity I decided to do some researches, "to Google" the company, and here is what I found out:

1. There's no info at all on such "company" as Regional Financial in Canada
2. Google Maps could not find such address in Victoria, BC
3. Mailing envelope shows senders address 1016 Saint Alexandre, Montreal,
QC H2Z 1P5
4.The agent was not present at the number provided. The person who answered the phone tried to help, but was not able to, when I mentioned the check. I was told to call tomorrow.
5. At the phone number on the check (519-991-1882), bellow the factual address and the logo of Cape Regional Medical Center, someone across the line answered "corporate office" and could not give me any details either, but asked me to call back in an hour.
6. That same phone number on the check occurred to be different from the contacts numbers of Cape Regional, as I found out on the official Medical Center's web page.
7.Cape Regional Medical Center is not associated in any ways with Regional Financial, as I was told by a customer rep. and also, not only that they don't have any divisions in Canada, but if I have received a check, I should destroy it, as it's no good.
8.Finally, after checking out the bank account with Commerce Bank's fraud department, it turned out that was a valid, active account of their client's. However they also advised me, if I don't know the company who issued the check, I shouldn't deposit it.

So... beware...

Company: Regional Financial A Division Of Cape Regional, 2Stone Harbor Blvd, Cape May House, NJ
Country: Canada
Province: British Columbia
City: Victoria
Address: 118 Royal York Road
Phone: 3063512139

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