Global Claims INC. Attempt to scam me out of nearly $5,000 Seattle Washington

I checked the PO Box today and got this letter from a Global Claims INC. The address on the letter said it was at 2256 Sullivan Ave., Seattle, WA 98224. This letter said:

RE:CERTIFIED CLAIM Claim#:ARK 54428-NC

We are pleased to advise you that your name has been drawn in our annual CONSUMER'S PROMOTIONAL DRAW, organized for both American and Canadian customers of the following major retailers e.g. Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Macy's, Home Depot, Zellers etc.

Your name was attached with the serial # 532465 and was drawn out of a computer database. Therefore, you are entitled to the preliminary prize of $250,000 payable to you by means of a CERTIFIED CHECK, and will be delivered to you by a courier company.

Enclosed is a check for the amount of $4,965.00 US, this check has been provided to aid you in the mandatory payment of Non-Canadian Residential Tax, insurance, and delivery charges pertaining to your $250,000.00 winning. It should be noted that you are not required to make any payment by way of your own finances.

In order to successfully receive your winnings you must first contact your assigned claim's agent as listed below:

CLAIM AGENT: PAMELA CHURCHILL: (778)-862-4001

HOURS of OPERATION:
Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm

All tax payments are payable to your designated tax agent as listed below:

TAX AGENT: ARLEEN HALL 1088 WELLS CIR, VICTORIA CANADA

TAX AMOUNT: $3, 963

PAYMENT METHOD: Money Gram/Western Union

Than they have a lovely blurry pic of a man named Jack Thomson, claiming he's a Senior Financial Executive, along with a number 1-778-881-0246.

They enclosed a check for $4,965.00

They tried SOOO hard to make it look all legal like, but I turned it in to my Wells Fargo bank, and they gave me copies for my own records, and are going to investigate it. There is already a report of someone else getting the same letter and finding it shady, they posted it on Rip Off Report.com

If it were legit, I would have remembered entering a contest, which I didn't. Also, this scam involves sending someone a check, having them deposit it in their account, and than withdrawing an amount and wiring the cash to someone else. (usually claims its for taxes.) Meantime, the bank finds the check bad a few days later, and you are now responsible for the funds!

They gave so much information, I am afraid others will fall for it. So please be careful and don't fall for ANYTHING that tells you you won something without any effort, (entering a contest, or drawing), on your part.

Mrsz
Grover Beach, California
U.S.A.