I recieve a letter today from a group. The check was a fraudulent check this group published with Wachovia Bank's logo on it. The letter reads as follows:
This is to remind you once again that you are one of the winners of the Customers Compensation Draw; Organized for all customers of the major stores in U.S and Canada, e.g. Wal-Mart, Sears, Home Depot, Kohl's, Kmart, etc. In conjunction with the North American Sweepstakes Association. We have made several unsuccessful attempts to contact you in order to process your winning.
A ticket with the serial No. 8765XX posted in your name drew the lucky winning numbers. This entitles you to the sum of $50,000 (Fifty Thousand Dollars Only). This will be delivered to you by FedEx. Enclosed here is a check of $2980, you are required to use some money from this check to pay for the Government applicable taxes and insurance fees on your winning amounting to $2000 payable either through Western Union. [[Yes, this was the only option on the letter.]]
Scott Browning, 234 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2P8
All winnings must be claimed on or before 28th of March 2010, after this date, all unclaimed funds will be returned to the sweepstakes account. Be sure to mention your Claim # above in all correspondence. And for Security reasons, do NOT disclose your Claim Number to the public, to avoid double claim.
You are to contact SPENCER ROSS on +1-905-5983584, as soon as you receive this letter to activate your check and for further instructions
Congratulations!
Yours truly. Juanita Hawkins, President [[bar code with number on the side]]
I'm sure the trick here is that they get you to get 2000 from your bank account (because the bank doesn't cover a check this size unless you have the funds), send it via Western Union right away, and by the time the check bounces at the bank it will be far too late and you'll not only be down by 2000, but also whatever remains from the fake check.
My next step is to call Wachovia and let them know about this scam so they can hopefully warn their customers and all parties concerned.