If it sounds too good to be true…
From our friends at the Halifax Police Department…
The Halifax Police Department has received complaints regarding a sweepstakes letter that residents are receiving in the mail from “at&t Financial Services Consumer Protection Department”. After investigating the matter, the Halifax Police Department has determined that the enclosed check is invalid and the sweepstakes is a scam originating in Alberta, Canada. The letter arrives in a plain white letter sized envelope bearing only the recipient’s name and address and a Canadian postage stamp. No return address is listed. Inside is a letter congratulating the recipient on winning a sweepstakes draw. The draw has allegedly been organized for “all taxpayers and customers of the participating retail stores”.
The letter includes a claim number and a notification that the recipient’s entry slip drew lucky winning numbers. The letter claims that the named recipient is entitled to a large amount of money ($75,000 or more) payable by certified check that will be delivered by special courier. The letter also encourages the recipient to contact the listed claims agent and to use the enclosed check to pay government service taxes for non-Canadian residents via Western Union. The enclosed check shows issuance by Foster Bank of Niles, IL on the account of H MART MIDWEST CORP.dba Super H Mart and is in the amount of several thousand dollars. (Internet fraud websites show the checks are payable in the amounts of $2800 to $3700.)
According to Internet fraud sources, once the recipient cashes the check, he or she is supposed to send the funds to the “tax agent” listed on the letter via Western Union. The check will be returned showing that it is a forgery or the account has been closed or does not exist. As the bank has already debited the recipient’s account for the funds, the scammers have the cash and the account holder is out several thousand dollars.
If you receive a sweepstakes letter and check, please do not cash the check or respond to the letter until verifying the legitimacy of the sweepstakes and the organization or business. If you have any concerns regarding the validity of a sweepstakes or promotion, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Better Business Bureau at (804) 648-0016.
Fools. Their money. Soon parted.
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