Reader's Digest Claims Services Steve Marks - Director of Claims, Derek Spelling Reader's Digest Sweepstakes-Claims Services mailed me a FRAUDULANT letter saying I was their 3rd PRIZE WINNER of $65,000.00 Tyler, Texas

My first question is, did you enter a Reader's Digests contest?  I'm guessing you didn't.  Why wouldn't you question how you won a contest you weren't aware of, let alone, never entered?  And why would you need to deposit a check from this company into your account, and have to send a Western Union payment to the same company?  Why wouldn't they just transfer the money from one office to the other?  Why were you even involved in that transaction?  Sounds fishy, now, doesn't it?!  This sweepstakes, as well as Steve Marks & Derek Spelling are non-existent.  You just made a scammer very happy.

If you won a sweepstakes wouldn't you think they would either deliver the winnings and photograph it for press...or have you go to an office to collect your winnings. Why would any sweepstakes have you depositing and sending funds back and forth..I would think if they had "your" $65,000, surely they don't need you to send them smaller amounts..right?

But live and learn..you are not the first to be taken by this scam.it's an oldie.

One thing that gets me though...you state "the check came back the following day because they couldn't locate the account"...so they had the check for 5 days? Why would it take your bank so long to determine the check was bogus in the first place? I know if I accept a check I run it through a reader..either it is good or it is not..I know instantly, that's the beauty of living in the information age. Unless the scammers had a legitimate account and they closed it down right after you made the deposit..do you know why the bank accepted that check?

It is possible the bank took no measures to protect your account and your money, even if I was foolish enough to fall for a scam...I would be very upset if my bank accepted bogus checks too.

You have been had by scammers (not the business listed on the bogus check.)

This scam has been around for over a decade!

Unfortunately, your bank will hold you accountable for the funds.

You should contact the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to make criminal fraud complaints.

I'm sorry you fell for this, but the likelihood of your recovering the funds is slim to none.  These scammers constantly move about and use disposable cell phones.  They have taken your money and moved on.