Alpha Financial Group I am the victim of a lottery scam. The company sent me a check for 2,998.60 and instructed me to deposit it Ottawa Canada
On June 16th 2007. I recieved a letter with a check stating that I have won money in a Lottery. I didn't think to check with the bank or with the company for more information. I did ask my bank to verify the check before cashing it. The bank held the check for two days and then made the funds available for me to withdraw. I called the company to get futher information of where to send the clearance fee.
The agent Kelly Hilton instructed me to send the money through money gram. She gave me the persons name to whom I was to send the money to and to call back with the information. I then called back on Thursday to find out if the money had be collected and when my package would be sent out. Ms. Hilton informed me that the package would arrive in three to four days. I haven't recieved anything as of Saturday June 23rd. I know in my heart that I've been had and that know I will have to repay the bank money I don't have.
I really feel foolish and dumb. I'm just hoping for some assistance with retrieving the money that was swindled from me so that I can retain my credit with my bank. It should be more information for individuals like me to check on scams as this one. It so easy to be taken in and the checks looks so real. If the banks can't tell how are we. My bank cleared the check in two days before retrieving the money themselves.
Ula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Dave
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Did you inform the bank what the check was for?
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, June 25, 2007
If you told the bank that you won a lottery, and this check was to pay the fees for the lottery, they should have told you that you were being scammed. This scam has been around for a very long time, and if all banks don't know about it by now then they shouldn't be in business!
If you did tell the bank, then you have pretty strong case, and shouldn't have to return the money. They are in the financial business, and should be aware of these types of scams, and should inform their customers. That would be the card to play against them. Even if it means going to court over it.
Now, for the obvious. How can you win a sweepstakes you never entered? Money Gram? Come on. NEVER NEVER NEVER pay for ANYTHING with Money Gram, Western Union or any service that can't be traced. NEVER!! If that is what the other party requests, then it is definitely a SCAM.