Complaint Review: United Asscess Financial Inc.

There are people who don't care about the situation they put others in, it's all about them and their greed! With our country's current economic predicament, I felt to take a minute to submit this information so that others do not fall for this trap.

My first bit of advice to the reader is this: nothing, yes nothing is free, follow your instinct, take it slow and easy ask questions and don't give out information.

I received a letter and an official looking check #3622 in the amount of $4,890.00 drawn on South Carolina Bank & Trust (Ladys Island, SC 29907) in the mail stating that 'you are one of the declared winners of a Shoppers Sweepstakes held on April 5, 2008 in the 2nd category'.

Clue #1 -- I did not enter any sweepstake. They stated ' we have made several unsuccessful attempts to contact you' . . . Clue #2 -- Not possible, we check messages constantly and had not heard of this company.

I am immediately suspicious because the letter was delivered in a 'regular' envelope with no return address, and it did not appear to be. . . authentic - meaning no formal letterhead, email address or website, you know - all the things that are results of advancement in technology.

Clue #3 'to expedite the processing enclosed is a check for the payment of Government Taxes on your big winnings'. Why would anyone care about my relationship with Uncle Sam, whether my taxes get paid or not? hmmmm! By the way, 'the tax amount is $2,985.00 to be paid by either MoneyGram or Western Union'.

The bad vibe instinct increases, so now I want to see if what I am feeling is intact. I place a call to the phone number 1-416-831-5655, Lewis McGregor as the letter instructed "Please do not attempt to use this check until you call." This sounded kind of crazy since it's my check, right.

Lewis McGregor immediately verified the claim number and placed me on hold. I did not recognize the area code so I hung up after about 15 seconds thinking this might be another scam - calls being rerouted to other countries incurring astronomical long distance charges.

I called back and there was this urgency from Mr. McGregor that I "go directly to my bank and deposit the check, come back and call him immediately for further clarification". Clue #4 -this smelled fishy to me so I was not going to call back until I had the opportunity to further research the company. A few days later, I entered the company's name in a renowned search engine and would you believe the first words Ripoff! Ripoff! Ripoff! even listing Lewis McGregor's name!

I am grateful today that I did not allow my instincts to be overridden by this authentic looking check, arriving 24 hour prior to the family departing for vacation which was timed perfectly. But I remembered that nothing is free . . . what does the fine print details and if it's really free, is it worth having!

I am willing to hold on to this original information and assist in getting this individual or company shut down or locked up so that they will not continue to swindle people, especially during times in some of our lives when a check in any amount could be interpreted as a blessing from on high.

I'm no fool!
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.