North America Shopppers Gaming Publishers Clearing House, Reader digest & casino sweepstake promotions. Check looks authentic, drawn on the Bank of New York, except, there is no name, address, this is a ripoff Brampton Ontario

Please understand that these reports are not regarding the real Publishers Clearing House based out of Port Washington, New York.

The real Publishers Clearing House wants to warn you about scam artists sending out real looking checks in an attempt to get you to send money! Here's how the ?Fake Check? scam works. Scam artists send you an official looking letter claiming to be from a legitimate sweepstakes. The letter may illegally use the name of a well known company like Publishers Clearing House or a sound alike name in an attempt to build trust. The letter encloses a real looking check that may appear legitimate. Even your bank may be fooled.

What's the catch? Even though the check is bogus, if you deposit the check the money may be available to you for a short time. Under federal law, banks make the funds you deposit available quickly ? usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn't mean the check is good. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce. And that's what the scam artists are counting on. They hope that if you believe the check is real you'll be willing to send them money back.

The scammers may tell you that you were given an advance on a sweepstakes prize and that some fee, tax or additional payment is necessary. You may be told you are being paid the first installment on millions and that you will receive more after wiring a portion back. Whatever the set-up, the results are the same. If you send money back you'll be out twice. YOU are responsible for checks or monies deposited into your account. When a check or money order bounces YOU will owe the bank the money you withdrew and the scammer will have the additional money sent in his/her pocket!

A legitimate sweepstakes will NEVER ask you to send money to enter a sweepstakes, claim a prize, or to pay a fee, tax or deposit. If you are asked to send money to claim a sweepstakes prize for any reason you are being scammed. There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back.

If you believe you are the victim of a ?Fake Check Scam? using the Publishers Clearing House name or logo, please contact us immediately by calling our toll free number at 1-800-645-9242. Consumers are also advised to contact the National Fraud Hotline at 1-800-876-7060.