LOTTERY SCAM USES FAKE STATE CHECKS

July 18, 2007 Sandy G.

A new lottery scam is mailing unsuspecting consumers phony checks that appear to be from various state governments, in an effort to convince them they have actually won a cash prize.

Some consumers have reported receiving a check from the State of Florida, bearing the state’s Chief Financial Officer’s name and signature, but Florida CFO Alex Sink warns the checks are bogus.

“So far we have no information that anyone has cashed the check or been financially harmed, but these vultures are playing a numbers game,” said Sink, who oversees the department. “They are sending out hundreds of bogus letters and checks hoping that if only one percent of the recipients respond they will be able to make some easy money.”

The phony prize is from an entity called the North American Prize Pool. Bogus checks have been traced so far to Washington, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Florida.

The letter indicates it comes from the “Lottery, Resources Management & Payment Verification Center” and provides a British Columbia address.

Link to complete story: http://tinyurl.com/ypzwfv

~Sandy G.

Entry Filed under: RECALLS