Surprise online sweepstakes
By clrumfelt
@clrumfelt (5490)
United States
November 27, 2007 1:15pm CST
I haven't gotten over this yet, but yesterday I
received a letter in the mail stating that I
have won a random online sweepstakes. The odd
thing is they actually sent me a check in the
mail for over 3900 dollars, no strings attached.
I looked the mail over thoroughy and there was
no small print anywhere on it, so I took
the check and put it in the bank. I am supposedly
to receive a lot more money from this if I call
in and follow through with the directions. I am
still leery of this b/c I have been scammed
before, but there is no doubt that I have the
$3900 in my bank account. If there seems to be
anything shady about the deal, I plan to keep
the money. What is your take on this?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
27 Nov 07
My neighbor got one of those checks - it looked so real. She took it to the bank and they told her it was a scam. They said also sometimes they will send you a check then tell you that you have to pay the taxes or some sort of fees so you send them a check back and the original one they send you bounces!
@toryaslim822 (240)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I got a check like that before.. So I tooked it to the bank and told them about it. So my bank opened a seperate account and told me to wait to see if it clears. Well it didnt! I am so happy that I waited to see if it clears. Then my bank also reported it to some place that keeps track of scams. See if your bank will do that open a seperate account for you to see if it clears or not. I hope it isnt a scam and if so I am sorry.
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I recently read of a similar situation that was a scam. The victim deposited the check in the bank and everything looked good.
The people who sent the check asked for some amount of money much smaller than the already deposited check, so the victim sent it.
What's the scam?
It takes awhile for checks to clear. The time it takes for the bank to verify the check and actually get the money is the time needed to make the scam work. Ask your banker how long the money needs to be "in" your account before you can count on keeping it. You'll be surprised.
I would not comply with the other instructions. I'll bet your "check" still ends up being no good.
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I actually found the same letter on the internet at
this site:
www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/286/RipOff0286499.htm
It is a scam. I am going to talk to my banker and
straighten out everything tomorrow. I have not spent
any of the money just b/c I suspected it might not
be good.
@lyndee22 (1210)
• Philippines
28 Nov 07
I have also received many emailed letter notifying me that I won in a lottery in million US dollars and million pounds sterling. At first I was surprised and ask myself if I'm dreaming. I first replied on these letters and give some informations. Then I thought of searching it on the net and I found it all a scam. Emailed messages come and go with the same information from different sources. I report them scam immediately without reading them. Many have been victims of this type of strategy people of foolish mind had been doing. If you're not smart or believed on them immediately then you'll be another victim.
@MisterPlus (1915)
• Philippines
28 Nov 07
Wait till the check get into your bank account. Congratulations if that is true.
@just2crazygirlz (2479)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Did you ask the bank if the check appeared legit? Did they put a hold on the money? I would not spend the money for at least a week. I got a check one time for $10,000 & I put it in the bank. I waited a week & then the next day it was cancelled. They stopped payment on it. So I wait at least 2 weeks.
@jormins (1223)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Has the check cleared? I saw on Judge Judy one time two black girls got a check for $5,000 or something like that so one of the girls went on a shopping spree before the check cleared. She ended up spending money they didn't have after it was all over.
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
28 Nov 07
My bank is no longer showing the deposit as pending, but
my understanding it that it takes more time for the check
to truely clear, so I will not believe it is mine until
I actually verify with the bank that it is legitimate.
