Great Stuff! Thank God for the Internet. You can find out stuff so quickly. As soon as I got the letter, I thought it was a scam and found out in 5 minutes by just googling the info in the letter. I check everything on these watch dog sites. You can't trust anybody or anything if you don't know where it's coming from. If you didn't win through your state lottery, then keep it moving or you'll be the next victim. I never even heard of this one until I got the letter but it's really amazing how people can still be had, especially during these very difficult economic times. God Bless to all and hopefully these guys get caught and no-one gets taken for too much, BUT they truly make it sound real.

Wow! I'm almost exhilarated by the prospect of nearly being scammed. What clever little swindlers. I received a letter from Texas Security General Agency, Inc. (which is in fact a real company), saying I had won $150,000 with an enclosed check for $3,800. The check actually has authentic routing numbers, from a real bank (Frost National Bank), watermarks, the works! I tried to call the 'claim agent', Mr. George Benson, and he sleepily asked me to call back tomorrow. I insisted that I thought this was a very curious way to answer a business line, and he only repeated his plea for me to call in the morning and hung up the phone. This letter claims that 'I am the winner of the CONSUMER PROMOTION DRAW organized for all customers of the major stores in the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. (Incluing Walmart, Sears, Home Depot, etc...) I haven't shopped at any of the stores on this list in at least six months. RED FLAG ALERT! Not to mention I found at least 3 typos in this 'official letter'. Also, I was informed I should send $2,950 of the $3,800 to Moneygram or Western Union. I am still interested though in knowing what would happen if I took the check to my bank and tried to verify it. My bank has a security feature on my account in which if the check were bad, I wouldn't be responsible for the lost funds. Oh, well, why bother, right? It's not like the check would ever clear anyway. I am very happy I came to my senses after the initial too-good-to-be-true shock wore off and I did some research. Thank you UCAN! All I can hope is that I'm not the only one, and my deep condolences to those who have been duped. In conclusion, I definitely plan on reporting these cheating scammers to the proper authorities.

i too have recieved the letter, and i dont see how ppl are stupid enuf to fall for it.

I was tryin to get a mystery shopper job and I had been talking to a guy name dennis hunt don't even know if that's his real name but he convinced me it was real so I gave him my basic information he sent me to international money grams through express mail and they were for 870 dollars each. I took them to my bank to cash them and the people at my bank told me they were fake. I called dennis and he said he could ezplain but I was mad I didn't give him a chance to I gave him a piece of my mind. He tried to get me to cash the money orders and take my part for the work I was gonna do which was 200 and 100 to work with and the rest to him. Is there any type of way I can sue him or take it to court? Anything? Please someone help so we can put these scams and untruthfull people to a end.

i got a letter today from them saying i could win 2,100,000.00. i had to give them the id# also i has to call before 10/1/2009. and i called. i asked did they have a web page i can go to.and she said yes went their o my a scam. i call them back and told them a piece of my mind.

In the 2nd category of NIAGARA CASINO NEW YORK - CHECK FOR $3755.00 OF WHICH $2800.00 IS TO BE PAID BY EITHER WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM.

These people are complete idiots..not because they tried to scam me but because...sending me a bogus check will stop me in my tracks of sending them any type of money.... so the scam is basically on them... i dont see how this method would gain them anything.

Rest assure, if you want to find out if the check is real, have your bank check it out for you, and be a good Samaritan by reporting it to the FBI, BBB, and such institutes.

It was nice to dream about what to do with the money but reality is always gonna kick in. I don't really see any threat in these letters, the checks not good. The scam stops there. Why would you send any money to them if the check is bad right? Isn't the goal of a scam is to get money from you?

Anyway, I think people tend to believe whatever is told, sent and given to them and when they find out how foolish they have been to have believed it, they lash out that its a scam blah blah blah. WAKE UP! U DIDNT PUT OUT ANY MONEY! GET OVER IT!

Peace out!

I too have received a check in the mail and I called and the person answered, asked, someone from this number called me? What legitimate business would asked that type of questions, we need to put the country on notice, about these types of scam,.

I also received the letter from United Express Inc Promotions Division, Prize and Award Presentation(North American International Claims Department) Said I had won $150,000.00. Sent me a check for $4700.00 to pay applicable taxes. Shame on you!!!+

These creeps are still at it using STAR FINANCIAL INC. letterhead , several Bank Institutions. First tip off was letter stated have tried to contact numerous times. I rarely if ever enter sweepstakes! Using moneygrams or money orders, paying a tax up front, not to mention the winning prize numbers are the same as other people's that posted this scam back in May, 2009.
If they can't get your name spelled right is another red flag. MS. SARAH DIXON, PHILLIP ADAMS and the rest of you scoundrels, you may get away with stuff in this LIFE but what about the hereafter!

I got a job on craigslist for mystery shopping, i was sent an 850 check from JCpenny. I was told after the check clears I will be given my assignment. I thought if A check cleared it wouldnt bounce a year later I dont get that, doesn anybody know.
thanks

My wife received the same letter and with the winning money of $55,500.00 and they send a check of $3,995.00 and i have to send $2,900.00 to pay tax. the first thing i did is call BOB MARCINDI (647-831-9534) the number is not assigned yet then i thought this is scam. i check the NORTH AMERICAN SWEEPSTAKE and confirm that this is scam and i see all your complains and warnings. i called SHOPPING.COM and give the check number to them and they will file charges againts this STUPID SCAM. ALL OF YOU OUT THERE WHO RECEIVED THIS LETTER.....BEWARE OF THIS DEMONIC PEOPLE..... HELL IS WAITING FOR THEM

I can't believe how many are out there with the same stuff. I received one too. They said that I received something from the North American Sweepstakes held on December 15th 2008. For one thing, I never entered a sweepstakes. The Name on the check is Higginson's 850 S Grand Ave, Pullman, WA 99163. The bank name is State Bank NorthWest, PO Box 68, Garfield, WA 99130. The letter comes from City Financial and Management Consultant, Inc. 3445 Rentforth Blvd Suite 1105 Mississauga Ontario Canada L5J3M9. Telephone No. 1-905-598-0827.
The names on the letter were Mrs. Gail Martins (Claim Agent) and Ms. Cheryl Corner (Promotion Manager). I appreciate the note regarding keeping the envelope. I am taking this whole thing over to the Michigan State Police Post. Thanks for the heads up everyone!

I TO HAVE JUST RECIEVED THIS CHECK IN THE MAIL TODAY MAY 30TH 2009 STATING THAT I HAVE WON THIS SWEEPSTAKES THROUGH WALMART
I CALLED AND SPOKE TO JEFF NELSON,WHO ANSWERED HIS PHONE THAT WAS NOT IN FACT ANSWERED PROFESSIONALLY IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THIS PHONE WAS HIS PERSONAL PHONE. AND WHEN HE PUT ME ON HOLD I HAD STATED TO MY FRIEND THAT I WAS GOING TO CALL BBBUREAU JUST THEN JEFF HAD SAID TO ME, WITH AN ATTITUDE! OUT OF THE BLUE I THOUGHT I WAS ON HOLD, WELL THEN CALL THEM AND THEN CALL ME BACK. I CONTINUED THE CONVERSATION HE OF COURSE TOLD ME TO DEPOSIT THE CHECK AND CALL HIM BACK TO FIND OUT WHERE TO WESTERN UNION THE TAXES TO. SO I AM THINKING THERE IS SOMETHING NOT RIGHT WITH THIS AND SURE ENOUGH I CAME TO THIS PAGE TO FIND OUT THIS IS ALL A BIG FRAUD, IN THE MEANTIME IF IT WASNT AFTER BANK HOURS MY HUSBAND WOULD OF BEEN TO THE BANK AND DEPOSITED THE CHECK AND THEN MY LIFE WOULD OF BEEN DESTROYED THANK GOD I INVESTIGATED BUT NOW MY QUESTION IS WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS BOGUS CHECK.? HOEW DO I KNOW THAT THE FBI WONT LOOK AT ME LIKE I'm SOME IM SOME KIND OF IDIOT BRINGING THEM A BOGUS CHECK. I WOULD LIKE TO PATICIPATE IN MAKING SURE THESE ASSHOLES TO PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST.

I received the same letter dated 5/18/2009 and was very curious about the letter which had a check inside. The check address was D. Petroleum Company, Inc. of
North Grosvenordale, CT. I noticed the city in CT was spelled in lower case. After
several days of trying to contact Ms. Anita Smith, Tel: 905-598-3514; I spoke with another female and she kept repeating: "do not tell anyone about your winnings and
especially your Claim # because some one else can call in and try to claim your money." The letter said the total prize money was #1.25M- USD and there were 10 people who had the winning numbers: 8-36-12-20-18-26-22 and the check I received for $4,980-USD had been deducted from my share of $125Kk -USD to pay taxes on the total amount, but I must deposit check into my bank so the bank could verify if the check was legitimate and 3 days after bank verification, I would receive the balance of my winnings. I called my daughter whom I trust and often confide my personal issues. My daughter right away said something was not right. My daughter went online and found out 2009 North America Sweepstakes Lottery is a BIG, BIG SCAM!! Always check with someone that you trust before making a move... you'll be so happy that you did! I know I am..

MaryL

My 77 year old father just got the letter from North American sweeptakes,
I told him tonight I would check it out, he is thinking he is going to the bank tommarrow and then get his money. He was all smiles, sayiing how I just dont trust
people enough. Now when he finds out the truth dont you know he will be sad. My Dad being sad pisses me the fuck off and I hope those somthing for nothing assholes
get what they deserve. Hey if anybody ever finds out who these bastards are before the law does, dont you know there is gonna be ass whoppin, they better hope I am not the one. Its probably some pecil dick computer Geek working at ACXIOM corp.
Conway Arkansas. They have axcess to every name and address in the world.

Im located in Hollywood ,Ca.I got this letter in the mail last night.It said i had been lucky from a computer ballad. from 500,000 people . from those people 10 people had won .Ive had won 125000, i got a check for 4950. and to pay 3950 for the remaining taxes i owe. They gave me a claim number also a number to call Ms. Smith. Claim manager. It looks legit bUT I was SKEPTICAL. So i woke up this morning went to work THINKING what i can do with this money.I just got off and i was thinking about this stupid letter. I wrote down all the info they gave me. I talked to Ms. Anita Smith at 1-905 781 3218. it took me a while to get in contact with her stupid ass. She sounded Indian not the chopping heads, feather hat wearing indians. She was The towel head wearing, 7/11 owning dot in the head indian. I could'nt understand anything this lady was saying. She was telling me to cash it in to my bank account. (which i dont have one). She said she was going to mail me the rest of the money via fed ex.She said she was going to transfer the funds.She said the check is real and cash it. There are funds. Before we hung up she said Congradulations on your winnings sir.I was like ok? I thought you were going to send me the check not transfer? HMMMM....I was thinking about cashing it in my nearest checks cashing place and send the rest of the money through the winnings i ve won. Instead i wanted to research them first. Wow! Good thing i found this site. This is the info from the check
Darice Lamrite West Inc.
13000 Danice parkway
Strongville, Oh 44149
First merit Bank
first national bank
North america sweepstakes 885 progress ave toronto ca L5L7K2

Ive been trying to call this stupid bitch for the longest and wont pick up. She had my hopes up. To finish up school, pay off bills. on a little vacation. The check looks so real.I wish i can slap these people. Now i have to go to the casino and play my texas hold'em. Hopefully get some winnings from there.Tell me any more from your expericences.Did you cash it?

My boyfriend just received this "check" in the mail. i knew it was scam but i just had to confirm it. reading over all these posts definitely confirmed that its a scam. Its unbelievable the levels people will go to. After reading the letter i thought maybe it might be real until i looked at the check, no water marks, that was a dead giveaway, and like the 4th post mentioned, they misspelled Sweepstakes, and spelled it Sweeptakes. Wow. I definitely suggest that everyone do their research whenever they receive anything that seems too good to be true, because it probably is.
Thanks so much, and i hope these f^*kers get caught.

So i am glad i checked this website, im probably not that smart because i too considered cashing this check, of course i would have waited for the money first and after it cleared i would have sent the money back. I am so glad i researched first. I have found other websites that people received the same winning lottery numbers i did and same amounts too. All the cases have different companies and phone numbers though, and that's scary. My company said they were structural settlement fund llc out of toronto canada and the check was coming from kaplan higher education, a real compnay as well. Please be careful, do not take any checks from the mail with suspicious amounts, especially if they want money back!!!

I too have recieved several letters and checks. This last one on May 4th. The check is wrote on Bank of America out of Atlanta, for the amount of 3,860.00 to pay the taxes in the amount of 2,950.00 for winnings of 55,000. I did call and when answered you could tell it was not a real business. It is unreal the lengths that criminals will go to try and scam people. Like we don't have enough to worry about already! I am glad that I found this site to check out other stories. Thank You!

My long time friend received just a letter saying that she had come in second place for a drawing and that she ha won 450,000 dollars but was required to pay taxes and holding fees for the moneyu to be delivered she has spoken to the following people John Fuentez (305)434-7246, Steven Cazzola 702-291-9604, Roberto Gomez, these people have asked her to send them fees thru western union and moneygram to Coasta Rica, San Jose and now Spokane, she paid over a thoisand dollars until telling me about it because they were asking for five hundred more to be able to deliver her money to her, and I insisted we look this up online which landed us here, yes she called the better business beuro and they told her it was Legitment. She is now out over a thousand dollars because of these people and would have been out more had we not investigated. She is very distarught over this because that money is what she needs to get by, she has a hard time with money as is.

My wife, today recivied a letter and a check from these scumbag scam artist. My wife called me all excitied that she got a check for 4,980.00 for taxes on prize money of 125,000.00. I know that taxes are generally with held if the prize amount is greater than 5,000.00 and there should be no need to pay taxes upfront. Like everyone else who posted comments I need the money as well but i am a real skeptic when it comes to this stuff so i checked it out and that is how i found this website. These conartist, scumbags, F@#king loosers(sorry i dont like people who do this to average working person) and they all should castrated and shot and then strung by there you know whats. PLease people use your common sense if it sounds to good to be true then it probaly is. I know times are tuff and we all could use the money and scumbag c@%k suckers know this and they will try anything to take your money.
THis is how the letter came to me so watch out:

Avery Financial Inc.---------No such company what a suprise
Licensed under the North America Sweeptakes---- Please note the spelling of sweepstakes they aint takin nothing of mine.

Said i won 125,000 USD in the second category what second category?????--- Yeah ok, surething, NOT!!!!

The "computer" drew my lucky numbers 8-36-12-20-18-26-22--- Remind me to never use these "lucky"numbers they would have been the unluckist numbers if deposited the check.

The firm of Funaro & Co.P.C. 350 Fifth Ave New York,NY they are a legit firm and after speaking with them they ARE NOT afilliated with these duocse bags. They were upalled at this and will investigate like what is that going to do if the FBI,the postal inspector the royal mounted police cant get them what makes me think that they can good luck.

The bank on the check was Merrill Lynch Bank One Columbus OH------ Well this was the dead give away to me. 1st) Bankone was aquired by JP Morgan Chase back in 2004 and 2nd)Bank of America aquired Merrill Lynch at the end of 2007. Dumb asses they cant even get the bank right.So there was no such bank Merrill Lynch Bank one.

These are my comments and how i feel,please if your offened by what i say or said please aceppt my apologies.

i to recieved this check i did not find it funny at all cuz i really could use this money right now they need to be cought and sent to jail....... good thing i did some research before i tried to go cash it cuz i would have felt so STUPID!!!!!!! the people i was tld to contact were MRS KAREN PETERSON OR MR MICHAEL HOLT AT 1-905-781-3163