American Direct Sweepstakes north american direct sweepstake Bad Checks abound, hoping to pray on the elderly and trusting las vegas, Nevada

My grandmother received a check today from a company called American Direct Sweepstake.  There are many clues here that this is a scam.  The letterhead is from Las Vegas, stamped from Canada, and the check is from a company, Malvern Saddlery(a legitimate company whose name and company reputation is being destroyed)in Pennsylvania, and the check is drawn on Wachovia Bank.  Calling Wachovia about the validity of the check will not do you any good.  They will not verify funds over the phone.  I called Malvery Saddley myself(6100-695-9980) and spoke with a representative who assured me it is a scam, the check is no good, and the authorities have been contacted.

Please do not attempt to cash or deposit these checks if you get one.  The scammers are hoping that they will be deposited and when they are they will be able to empty your bank account and you will be on the hook for check fraud.  Beware of things sounding too good to be true.