Prize Information Bureau (PIB) Sweepstakes... or Scam? Las Vegas Nevada

My wife received a letter from the Prize Information Bureau (PIB), asking for verification of her name and address for a sweepstakes. She provided them the info and received a letter a few days later. The letter is very official-looking, with all kinds of seals and stamps on it. Of course, the real kicker is the URGENT NOTICE! written in large, bold letters.

Basically, the letter states that my wife is "a verified and confirmed recipient of reported cash/prize opportunities totaling over $3,276,450.00" and that it has to be claimed by midnight June 26th, 2009. It also states that she has to act immediately by (1) signing the Prize Report Claim and (2) sending a $20 "transfer fee" by cash, check, or money order. And the last line states "ENVELOPE MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MIDNIGHT OF DEADLINE DATE OR YOUR CLAIM WILL BE VOIDED FOR PROCESSING."

When she told me about it, I thought it might be a scam, so I asked her to wait before sending it off. One Google search later and I found this site with similar reports about PIB. Not only that, but you can also find on the search a mailing list selling company that sells addresses from (guess who) PIB, which means that not only do they make money from these "transfer fees," but also from selling the names of those who send them information and/or money.

As I learned a long time ago, a sweepstakes should not require any kind of payment whatsoever. If you get a letter from PIB, don't open it. Just toss it away and spend the $20 on something you'll actually enjoy.

Lucas
Miami Gardens, Florida
U.S.A.