Fake check scam uses Reader's Digest name

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Fake check scam uses Reader's Digest name
By Nyla, Fraudwatchers Support Team
June 27th, 2006

A new forged check postal scam masquerading as a sweepstakes win has been spotted. The letter claims to be from the "International Processing Department" and states that the recipient has won a large monetary prize through Reader's Digest, a name that is certainly widely known and trusted.

Included is an "advance check" that is to be used for insurance, taxes, handling, transportation and other fees. If the target isn't very familiar with the complex regulations surrounding sweepstakes in North America, they could easily be convinced that the check is good and the sweepstakes is legitimate.

Of course, the practice of charging fees in order to claim a sweepstakes prize is illegal in most countries, and a winner would only owe taxes to the proper authorities after claiming the prize, not directly to the sweepstakes. And the check itself is forged. If the winner were to follow the instructions to cash and wire part of the value of the check, they would find themselves owing the entire amount of the check to the bank once the forgery is discovered. Even worse, they might find themselves in legal trouble, particularly if they have trouble repaying the bank.

This fake check scam appears to originate out of Canada. The letterhead bears the return address "International Processing Department 600 Borgan Ave, Suite 500, Winnipeg,MB, T3X 7F5", which appears to be a non-existent address. The contact phone number, 1-819-701-0487, is likely an anonymous, prepaid mobile provided by Fido Wireless. The checks were drawn on the account of CEJA Corporation through the Bank of Oklahoma. Since CEJA Corporation is a very real gas and oil company located in Tulsa, this indicates the checks may actually be stolen or written against the company's real account.

If you receive one of these letters and checks, please file a police report and turn over the mailing and check to the police. They will involve the U.S. Postal Inspector in the investigation. If you have cashed the check, please notify your bank of the probable forgery and they will assist you in getting an investigation started. If you have deposited the check, do not withdraw money until the bank has been notified, and definitely do not wire any of the money elsewhere. Otherwise, you will come out on the losing end of this "sweepstakes win".

[wyattroa]

hey guys got this letter in the mail..My wife called them and asked them some questions.. she didnt give out any personal information besides our home telephone number which is in my name not hers.. which was on the letter..are we screwed now.. and how should i go about handling this.
<REMOVED REAL NAME HERE>

[Curious Nelly]

Pointless question at this time. Read through the above article.

[beccagotscammed]

I got a letter yesterday from a company called Total Quality Logistics. It stated in that letter that i was the beneficiary of an unclaimed settlement in the amount of $75,000. Supposedly I had won a Reader's Digest Sweepstakes on May 16. There was a check enclosed for the sum of $2,962.30. I called the person claiming to be the Clearing Commishioner. His name was Michael Banks. He told me i needed to pay $2500.00 in state taxes to the state of Maine at the nearest western union. I believed him....Fortunately, when I took the check to the bank i was not shocked to hear that the check was either stolen or fake and I was being scammed. So I called Michael Banks and told him that the bank said I was being scammed. He said it wasn't true and that he was going to cancel the check and send me a cashier's check. I am to receive this check on Tuesday or Wednesday this coming week. If anyone can help, please feel free to write back. Thanks.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by beccagotscammed

He said it wasn't true

You don't believe him, I hope. He's a scammer, and the replacement check will be as fake as the first. Don't even think about presenting it at your bank. They might well report it to the police. Presenting one fake check is ignorance, presenting two, more serious.
Which is something you should do. They may be able to do something with the fake checks and envelopes.

[Curious Nelly]

Originally Posted by beccagotscammed

I got a letter yesterday from a company called Total Quality Logistics.
There was a check enclosed for the sum of $2,962.30. I He said it wasn't true and that he was going to cancel the check and send me a cashier's check. I am to receive this check on Tuesday or Wednesday this coming week. If anyone can help, please feel free to write back. Thanks.

Any / all checks and all correspondence along with the mailing envelope should be sent or dropped off at you nearest FBI Field Office. Sending address to you.

[marpets1234]

I just received a check from Goldlink Securities, Inc for 3,975.00. I too called them and they told me I can cash or deposit the check. After I do this call them back and they will give me the name I am to send the taxes and processing to. I knew this was too good to be true. What should I do with the check? Thanks

[dodobird]

Hello Marpets,

Read the post above yours, the answer is there.