Mr. Robert Walker And Publishers Clearing House And Mr Harvey Armstrong Received letter announcing that I was a third place winner for one million dollars. Certified check for$5,340. enclosed to cover any fees not paid by PCH. Little Rock Arizona

What you received is an attempt at a type of fraud. You acted correctly in taking the check or money order to the bank instead of attempting to cash it.

Here is how the scam normally takes place:

1) Victim received large sum of money with a fictitious reason for it's receipt. Including special instructions to follow before/after cashing the check. In your case, you were to call this "revenue agent".

2) Revenue agent informs you that to cover the cost of paying you the full amount, some processing charges will need to be paid(by you), out of that check they sent you. You then cash this check at your bank, and send a portion of it BACK to the people that sent it to you for these processing charges.

3) The check looks/appears legitimate, however when it reaches the ACS(where checks are reconciled), it turns out it's fraudulent!

4) Your bank in turn holds you(and your account) liable for when *you* cashed it.

5) Scammer takes the "processing fee" you sent him and pockets it. Leaving you holding the buck with your bank for cashing a bad check.

Hope that sheds some insight and helps you be more aware about this type of scam in the future.