Comtec Financial Trust Services - Steven Harper lotto, reader's digest, publisher's clearing house, sweepstake Windsor Ontario

I received a letter stating that I had won a sweepstake. It said I won $45,000 and they were giving me a check for $3950 to cover the processing/administration fees. To verify funds I was to call Mr. Steven Harper at 1-519-991-2309. I'm a skeptic, but also curious. I call and a recorded message says to call 1-450-369-0009. I call and ask for Mr. Harper and explain about my letter and check. He tells me to deposit the check and as soon as it clears, call him back. I ask him what the catch is. He says I can call the better business bureau or whatever I want. If the check clears, it's obviously good. I ask then what happens. He says he'll let me know where I'm to go make a payment. I ask what am I making a payment on. He asks me didn't I read the letter? I said yes, but I wanted more information. He said that they were just a "financing company" and then corrected himself to say a financial trust, and that he would have no way of answing my questions. I kept pressing, and he said he didn't want to be rude, but he was in a meeting and I should just deposit the check. Well, I told him what he could do with his check.

I shutter to think what would have happened had I cashed that check.
I hope this prevents people for falling for this scam.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is!!!

Patty
Aurora, Illinois
U.S.A.