National Awards Commission. Raymond Sauer I received a letter saying I've won 553,097.35 if I reply within 10 days, but I've to pay 9.90. ripoff Kansas City Missouri

I received a letter yesterday (17/03/07) with the following subject: CASH OPPORTUNITY APPRISING DOCUMENT.

The letter says that the offices of NATIONAL AWARDS COMMISSION await with pleasure and excitement the formal honour of processing my actual entry for an opportunity to win and receive payment of award #1712 in the amount of 553,097.35!

Then says: it is guarantee YOU WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER OF 553,097.35 provided you met the following:
-you are over the age of 21
-not an employee of the national awards commission
-you postmark your reply before the time-specified deadline!
Please mail your pink form within the next 10 days requested and enclose just 9.90 by cash, cheque or postal order payable to NAC.

Of course I did not reply and I came straight away to the web to see what was going on.

Hopefully the same day I received a consumer protection bulletin (from a reliable company) about important information on Scams and how to avoid them.

The main points of the bulletin were:

-YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY ANYTHING IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A PRIZE YOU'VE WON. For example when you buy a ticket for a lottery, any money you win is FREE to collect!

-YOU SHOULD ALSO BE SUSPICIOUS if you receive a winning notification from an organisation with whom you've never entered a draw or competition! SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE NOT AUTHENTIC

-DO NOT GIVE OUT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO AN UNKWON INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY. They will use it to illegally withdraw money from your account. BE AWARE

-DON'T FALL FOR STORIES THAT ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. Like the letter I received saying I've won that quantity of money.

-PLAY WITH A NAME YOU CAN TRUST.

Maria
Nottingham
United Kingdom