ReactorCore
Victoria,#2
Wed, August 12, 2009
This is a variation on the ''overpayment by check scam''.
Someone sends you a ''check'' for whatever; sweepstakes, lottery, buying a car you have for sale or this "Mystery Shopper" scam.
Note how it's UNDER $5000. This is to stop red flags going up at the bank, who will hold any amount $5000 or greater.
You're asked to send back an amount, whatever it is, to cover things ranging from shipping ''taxes'', the sender claims to have "overpaid you" for whatever reason or, in this case, to make a purchase and send back the rest
Keep in mind in the case of the "lottery" scam: A legitimate lottery of this type is NOT AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT TAXES IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT. That's for the tax department to do directly once the company/entity running the sweepstakes or lottery submits the proper, authorized paperwork regarding your winnings to the appropriate government entity.
Also: A LEGITIMATE ''LOTTERY'' OR ''SWEEPSTAKES'' WILL NEVER REQUIRE YOU TO ''PAY'' TO COLLECT YOUR WINNINGS. It's illegal.
Note that you've been asked to render payment VIA WESTERN UNION TYPE SERVICE ONLY, which is done to get around USPS fraud statutes, and that you've usually been told to keep your ''winning'' HUSH HUSH. This is a HUGE tip off.
In the end, you are left with a WORTHLESS piece of paper that will not only pay the scammer, but leave you in big trouble with the bank, as they will demand, once the ''check'' (which is a forgery) doesn't clear after 7 - 14 days, and you will have to pay them back the entire amount PLUS any/all fees associated with hanging the bad paper on them.
Just Me
Lebanon,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, August 11, 2009
I too was contacted by this Company. I received the form & check with the same amount as the original post. I contacted the Attorney General's office regarding this, then decided to do some checking on my own. Thank you so much for the post, now I won't fall prey to someone who's looking to make massive amounts of money in a short period of time from those of us looking to generate some extra income in these hard times. Just Me