FSI Claims Department, Fortune 500 Companies' Comsumer Rewards Program Contest scam, mailed checks, claimed big winnings Mississaugua Ontario

I got a letter in the mail today from a company called FSI (first state inc), out of Canada with no return address on the envelope (cue first warning bell). Upon opening the letter, I learned that I had won $125,000.00 from the Fortune 500 Companies' Consumer Rewards Program in February, and that this was the final notification (I had received no other attempts-they managed to get this letter to me just fine, why not other notifications, if it was legitimate?).

The letter was dated April 29, 2008. Just as a side note, in all instances where they wrote my name, it was always surname, first name. Enclosed was a check for $4875.00 from an account from Hunts Point Tropical from Chase Manhattan Bank (warning bells 2 and 3). The check actually looks like a real check, but I'm not a professional, so I can't be sure. The letter informed me that I had won a random drawing from names derived from some unknown source, and that I needed to call the number provided for more information on this. They also wrote that I needed to pay $2875 directly to the tax agent, which also set off some warning bells.

I decided to do some digging online before calling anyone, or doing anything, and I found this site, with others who have had similar situations, but each with a different informing company, and paying company but same bogus rewards program. I also looked up First State Inc, but only found a developer and horticulturist under that company name.

Katie
Oz, Kansas
U.S.A.