STAPLES CORPORATE FINANCE,PROMOTIONS DIVISION They almost had me! Then I checked with Ripoff Reports!!! What a scam! London Ontario Canada

My husband received a letter containing a check for $4,700.00 and was instructed to call Jeff Phillips at 905-782-4700 before depositing it for further instructions. I called the number and a very foreign speaking gentleman who called himself Jeff Phillips told me to deposit the check then call him back for instructions on how to send $2,980.00 back to them via Western Union or Money Gram.

He assured me that if I followed his instructions, that a check for $195,000.00 would be sent to our home via Fed Ex the next day.

This, he said, was a random computer draw from thousands of names from stores like Wal-Mart, Sears, K-Mart, etc.

First I called the bank the check was drawn on. It is an active account in good standing, but they would not verify the amount or the signer on the check. When I explained the situation, they told me to proceed with extreme caution and that it sounded like a scam.

The check is drawn on Fleet Bank, 179 John Roberts Rd, S Portland, ME 04108. The Name on the check is STAPLES INCORPORATED, 500 Staples Dr, P.O. Box 9368, Framingham, MA 01702. The signer is John J Mahoney.

Next, I called the 905-782-4700 number again. The same person answered. I told him that I had been doing some checking and that I believed this to be a scam. He said he didn't understand what I was saying. I then said, "This is a fraud!" and he hung up on me.

If there is anything I can do to help others escape this scam, or if I can be of assistance in catching these crooks, I would be happy to do so.

Rita
Eureka, Kansas
U.S.A.