My son received a letter yesterday, in plain white envelope, no return address, with his name typed on a label stuck on the front of the envelope. I almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail. After I opened the envelope there was a letter from Avidia Financial Group, Ltd., 301-1188 Solola Rd SE, Chambly, QC J5X 2S8 - that said he was the 3rd category winner of the annual Integrated Consumer's Clearing Awards held on July 10th. There was also a check from CATALYST Human Resource Group Montgomery 36104 written on People's United Bank, 850 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT for $2, 940.10. It said:
SUBJECT: AWARD CLAIM NOTIFICATION
This is to inform you of the release of the annual Integrated Consumer's Clearing awards held on July 10th, 2008. We are pleased to inform you that after a computerized drawing process of all entries and detailed analysis, your name come out as one of the names accorded a WINNER STATUS in the 3rd category. CONGRATULATIONS!
Your name attached to ticket number... with a serial number... drew the lucky numbers to wind in the 3rd group. Consequently, you have been approved for a lump sum payout of $40, 000 USD (FOURTY THOUSAND) in cash credited to file with Ref. #... and Batch #...
All participants were selected through computerized ballot system drawn from reader's digest, publishers clearing house's, computer games and sweepstakes with data bases in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Asia as part of our International Promotions Programs, which is conducted annually.
Your funds have now been deposited with us and insured in your name. In accordance with established regulatory policies, there is a required processing and administrations fee on your winnings. We have enclosed a check in the amount of $2, 940.10 to enable you to pay for processing/administration fees without undue financial difficulties. Your balance of $37, 059.90 will be sent via a special delivery by courier within two business days upon payment confirmation.
To ensure that the enclosed check gets to the designated winner, the funds will be on hold until authorized. For authorization, verification, processing and payments, please contact your claim agent: Mrs. Vanessa FLEMING at (514) 806-2584. To ensure that your claim is promptly processed, please quote your Reference and Batch numbers with us all the time. All prize money must be claimed not later than August 17, 2008.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ADDRESS, NAMES AND INITIALS AS GIVEN AND ADVISE YOUR AGENT OF ANY CHANGES.
The company is not responsible for lost, misdirected mail or late claims, we therefore urge you to please protect your Reference and Batch numbers at all time to avoid double and unscrupulous claims.
On behalf of our staff and sponsors, I wish you all the best and once again, CONGRATULATIONS!
Best regards
(signature)
Jennifer CARUSO
Director, Claims & Accounting
I'm pretty sure this is a scam, words were misspelled, FOURTY should be FORTY; certain words that should have been capitalized were not, readers digest, publishers clearing house; "please quote your Reference and Batch numbers with us all the time" should probably read "with us at all times". I also looked the phone number up on-line and it came up as a unidentified cell phone, I googled Avidia Financial Group, Ltd., no such company, however there is such a bank, so they did get one thing right. If in fact he did win some sweepstakes, don't they withhold any processing fees and/or taxes before they disperse the funds? It would be a wonderful thing if he in fact did win this prize, but unfortunately I'm sure this is not the case and I wanted to let others know if you receive this type of letter to not respond.
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