Complaint Review: ALLSTATE

I received a letter with no return address in a plain looking envelope.  The envelope had a Canadian stamp on it.  Inside the envelope was a letter and a check. 
    
The letter said that I had won the annual "consumer's promotional draw."  It said my name was attached with the serial number 275665 for a prize of $250,000.00 payable by a "certified check."

The check looks real legitimate, has watermarks on the back and everything.  The check was in the amount of $4,970.00 US and was to "aide me in the mandatory payment of non-Canadian residential tax." 

It has the name and number of the "claim agent" I was supposed to contact to collect my winnings.  It reads as follows:  DAVID FOSTER  (778) 317-7313.  It also had a tax agent to go through.  It has no number but the name is Hilary Anderson and the address is 8654 Marshall Ave.  Montreal Canada with no area code or anything.

It said to make my payments through the "west coast manager" of Western Union who is listed as Gerry Mathews- office number is 1-253-617-1057, fax number- 1253-883-1828.  It also has a picture of "Gerry Mathews."

After receiving this letter I proceeded to call this "claim agent" and when he answered he automatically asked for my name.  I responded by saying that I was not willing to state my name but would give him the "claim number" that was on the letter.  He hung up immediately.

I called back and received the same outcome as the first time.  After numerous repeated attempts my calls were never answered.  That's when I knew it was a scam.