Readers Digest Sweepstakes Commission Inc. I received a SCAM letter and Check in the mail from Readers Digest Sweepstakes Yonkers New York

I received a letter with a check enclosed, the letter stated: Ward Claim Final Notification

After numerous attempts to reach you by phone have failed, we are pleased to inform you through this letter that our network system shows you as the lucky winner of $120,000 USD. The system indicates that you were selected as a winner for the December 2008 sweepstakes draw. All the participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from Readers Digest, mail in ballot forms, internet submissions, Publishers Sweepstakes Commission, computer games sweepstakes database which are from the USA and Canada.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Enclosed is a check for $4,922.00 USD (FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO DOLLARS) payable to you to pay for applicable processing fees and must be deposited into your account only after speaking with your claiming agent.

Your claim number is HW-0828111-OD. We ask that you keep your claim number confidentional until your claim has been properly processed and funds remitted to you as part of our security protocol to avoid any DOUBLE CLAIMS.

ALL PRIZE MONEY MUST BE CLAIMED UPON THE RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER. Please call your North American Claims Agent Mr. Bob Williams at 1-800-908-7418 ext 1. Readers Digest Sweepstakes Commission offices are open Monday Through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

For further validation or to obtain your verification code please contact the Internal Revenue Services office at 1-514-621-8370.

Sincerely,
Raymond Pierce
Director of Claims

I say to anyone that receive this sort of letter and check in mail, be aware that the check looks like a REAL check, there are no defects; I called the bank listed on the check (Cathay Bank) they ask for the 8 digit number at the bottom of check, they verified that the check is a SCAM and the check was stolen and not to deposit it. You can also take the check to your bank (Not To Cash) but for their fraud division to investigate.

Patricia
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
U.S.A.