UNIVERSAL REWARDS & TRUST RECIEVED A CHECK FOR 4,875.00 DOLLARS 2,875.00 WAS TO BE PAID BY WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM directly to the goverment tax agent keeping the winning confidential not to attempt use the check until i called, was told to deposit the check and call them back tried twice to open an account to deposit said check the banks told me it was a real check but there would be no funds aviable TORONTO Ontario

Simply put: If you're a "winner", better you ask yourself the following
1) Did I ENTER this contest? If the answer is NO, it's a scam.
2) Do they ask you to send money via Moneygram/W.U. or other wired funds?
NO LEGITIMATE SWEEPSTAKES WILL DO THIS!

They play on your need or greed to steal what you have!

My wife and I were both "hit" with something like this-but there are inconsistancies in the check. Take a CLOSE LOOK.

Is the company on the check the same as in the letter? If not, take it to the POLICE.
Is the address of the financial institution spelled correctly? I got one that had an incorrect address!

Find the bank, and call them. Verify the account/account holder.

Check the address of the company! Seems smart, right? I did on one of them we received- no such company at the address stated!

Is it out of country? They've been coming from Canada. This is a classic scam. Take it to the police, postal service, or other authorities. They might be able to set up a "STING" to nab the perpetrators. Just ONE caught will be a warning to all who try it!