All State Financial Sweepstakes - Promotion Scam Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I received a letter stating that I was one of the 150 winners in the "consumer promotion draw" organized for cutomers of Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot , Safeway, Kroger etc.. I supposedly won $ 250,000 and they included a check for $9,820. for the payment of the " tax " which was applicable to the prize. You then were supposed to cash it - split the funds in half and send by Money Gram & Western Union. I called the person listed ( Anthony Lewis or Juliette Gordon) who sleepily answered his phone with a strong Nigerian or Bamamian accent. I questioned him heavily about this letter and about him, his company, possible D & B etc... No existing records can be found anywhere except for a similar scam on this site.

Grammatical & spelling errors present .This is a scam that you can be liable for even if you cash this check at the counter of your bank. The check could then be processed and one would find the account was closed or never existed and you would be liable for the $$$ amount plus fees and possible "fraud" despite the fact that you were an unwilling victim.

Check listed under Fidelity ( brokerage services) - BNY Mellon Trust Delaware,Newark Delaware.

Beware !!! No sweepstakes would have you pay a tax upfront in order to process the winnings..........

Sam
Naples, Florida
U.S.A.