Consumer Promotions International Inc $250,000 Prize Winning Payout Scam Toronto Ontario

This company apparently is sending versions of the same letter to people saying they have won $250,000 that is payable to them by Certified Check that will be delivered via FedEx/UPS shipping. However, you are advised to first contact claim agents 'Clara Walker' or 'Bennet Duncan' at 1-778-316-6347.

When you call them and question their legitimacy they state that this is a valid contest and that you are not the top prize winner, but the 3rd place winner. All you have to do to get your $250,000 prize is to deposit the check they sent you and then write out a check for the tax amount due of $3920. When they receive your check they will immediately send your certified check for $250,000. Yeah, right!!!!

The letter claims your name is attached to an entry slip with serial number 676-1469 with the lucky winning numbers 21-27-37-44. (Note: These are the same entry slip and lucky numbers in a letter to another person in California) Consumer Promotions International Inc sent a check in the amount of $4,870 that the letter states is for the payment of the Non-Resident Tax which is payable to your US tax agent by Moneygram. The Tax Agent contacts they give you are 'Alisha Payton' or 'Henry Durban' located at 1520 Oak Street in Ontario, Canada.

The check looks real. If you photocopy it you will see VOID watermarks. The bank name, Commerce Bank NA in Kansas City, MO, is a real bank. You'll find their web site on the internet. However, what puts up the caution flag is the fact that the account name is Baldor Electric Company located in Fort Smith, AR. Why would a prize, organized for all customers of Wal-Mart, Sears, JC Penney, Home Depot and Safeway, be drawn from an electric company's account?

Please beware! The letter comes in a plain white envelope, no return address. Our letter had Canadian stamps; however, I've seen in various complaints filed that other country stamps are being used.

Don't fall for this scam! You will be out thousands of dollars and possibly end up a victim of identity theft or more!!!

Clarence
East Berlin, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.