I received a letter along with a check for $4900. It said I won $100, 000 in the "North American Sweepstakes". The check is to pay the $3900 tax on the winnings and is to be paid by Moneygram or Western Union. Then I would receive the remaining $95, 100 when the winning is processed. The final paragraph states, "Please do not attempt to use this check until you call. You are advised to contact your claim agent immediately for further clarification as indicated below within 5 business days."
I decided to call my "claim agent", Mr. Ray King to see what I could find out. The first time I called, Mr. King, rather rudely and with no explaination, told me to call back in 20 minutes. The second call went to an answering machine that had no room left any more messages. The third call, Mr. King instructed me to call back in 30 minutes. I told him this was my third call and I would really like some information on this. He hung up. Finally, with the fourth call Mr. King had time to explain things to me.
I asked how I could win a sweepstake I never entered. Mr. King told me I was automatically entered because I have shopped at Walmart or JC Penneys. He instructed me to deposit the check into my account as I would any check. Then when it clears, I am to call him again. I asked him if he really thought it would clear and he assured me it would. He also reminded me twice to NOT let anyone see my claim number.
It is obvious to me that this is a scam. While I am sure this check would not clear as it is fraudulent, depositing it would most likely make my account information available to these crooks. I urge anyone who receives a notice such as this one, DO NOT CASH THE CHECK! I plan to take this to my bank and see if they have any information on this scam.
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