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North American Sweepstakes Scam
The North American Sweepstakes scam is a form of the Nigerian money scam. Somehow these off-shore thieves are printing checks with the names of legitimate companies that have nothing to do with the scam. If you are cold-called or emailed about winning large sums of money where you're asked to send money, hang up and/or delete the email. They target seniors and low-income persons. Don't be a victim for this fraudulent scheme. Contact the FBI Internet/Cyber Fraud Unit.
Sweepstake winners are not contacted by email or by mail. Alleged winners are never asked to wire money before being eligible to win. Taxes aren't paid for by the sweepstake offering company---You pay the taxes. Has anyone asked themselves how a foreign lottery ticket or prize could be won without ever having been in that country? When has anyone heard of a sweepstakes prize company providing checks in advance? Your real key to this fraud is that if you truly won money, you would be most likely contacted by certified mail, not via junk mail.
The old saying is still true! If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.
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