Complaint Review: Marriot Financial Services

On April 30th my 13 year old son received a letter from Marriott Financil Services out of Ontario, Canada. Name and Address is correct. It starts out saying RE: FINAL AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION. Sayig that their network shows he is the winner of unclaimed prize money in the amount of $95,000.00 in USD. All Participants were selected through a computerized ballot system drawn from Readers Digest, Publishers Clearing House, Online Sweepstakes, Internet games, etc.

Enclosed was a check for $3190.00 covering admin. payment & fees. To cntact the North American agent, Ms. Nicole Lawson at 1-705-770-0124 and must be claimed by May 16th, 2007.

There was a claim number and he was told to keep that # confidential for security purposes.

I called and the lady "Ms. Nicole Lawson" said to deposit the check and then they needed to have me send a money gram to cover the fees. I told her that my son is a minor and she said i could sign on his behalf. So I deposited the check on May 4th. Today I called the bank and asked if the check cleared. They said yes. I asked if the check was no good then I would know by now, right. They said yes unless the check is from over seas, it could take up to 30 days to find out. Well the check is from a bank in Ontario.

During this week I looked online for Marriott Financial Services and came up with nothing. Did a reverse address search of the address on the letter, NOTHING. I did a reverse search on the phone # I was to call "Ms. Lawson" and it was a cell phone # provided by FIDO. Then I found this web site. and realized that it was a scam.

But in all honestly, the letter, the check, everything looked real. Thank God we didn't fall for it completely. Almost but no cigar. BE CAREFUL. IF IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, MOST LIKELY IT IS.

Heather
Bolingbrook, Illinois
U.S.A.