Complaint Review: Barnes Marketing

Like everybody on this list...I thought it was too good to be true.
After reading all the comments I noticed nobody actually cashed the check. I decided to take it one step further and see if I could prove without a shadow of a doubt that it was in fact a scam! (Without risking my bank account info) All of us had the same ticket number just a different phone number and contact name. I took the check to a check cashing place. I thought if they did cash it then the place could actually go after Barnes if it bounced. Right now there is little the police can actually do for the ones that got suckered. The check cashing biz asked for a phone # because there isn't one on the check. Of course I was happy to give Lexie Wilson's number. They said it came up as a cell # and couldn't cash it w/o land line #. So I called Lexie and repeated what the cashier told me. She played dumb and said it was her "direct extension". When I asked for an alternate # she hung up on me. When I called back it rang and rang. After about 20 rings there was a recording saying the number was no longer in use!
That was enough evidence for me...anybody know how we can stop these horrible creeps?
Barnes Marketing, Lloyd Formerly Promotion Manager, sent "Final Notice" of winning a Consumer Rewards Program ticket 3749065 for lump sumpayout  of US $8,000.  Check for $986.88 was enclosed. Instructions were to contact Claims Agent LEXIE WILSON at their phone number for instructions how to claim.  Letter said "per your state regulations, you will be required to pay a tax and processing fee before the lump sum winning can be sent to you."  The check was drawn on CITIZENS BANK MASSACHUSETTS. Company name on check was Barnes Marketing, Trenton Place, Walton, MA  02451.