Pacific Northwest Clearing House P.N.C.H., Inc.Jason Berry Lottery scam / fake check Delta British Columbia Canada

This is a classic lottery scam. My father received a letter and a very authentic looking check from this company. The check was for $ 2,950 and the letter explained that the check was not to be cashed yet (surprise) but that he should call Jason Berry at 1-778-863-6180. He supposedly won a lottery (which he did not enter, of course) in the amount of $650,000. The check is described as an advance loan to cover the "insurance and processing fee" for the lottery. The letterhead address does not match the return address on the envelope. The letterhead reads:

Pacific Northwest Clearning House, Suite 500-543 S. Argyle Street, Seattle, WA 1-778-223-4517.

Since 778 is the area code for British Columbia, I assume the return address is the correct one and not the one on the letterhead. The letter is signed by "Margaret Smithers, CEO."

These scams are common and most of us toss them in the mail instantly. My elderly father, however, saw the very real looking check and thought he had actually won the money. He had spent it in his mind before I had to be the bad guy and explain the scam to him. This makes me so angry. I called the number but got a voice mailbox. The man identified himself as Jason Berry, also the name in the letter. I left a very nast message. Honestly I don't know how these people sleep at night. I have also filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector's office.