Anytime you get a check with a letter claiming you won a lottery or contest, and they want you to cash the check and wire back a certain amount of the funds, IT IS A SCAM. Do not ever cash or attempt to cash the check - it is no good, and the bank will come back to you for reimbursement if you do manage to cash it. You'll notice on the checks that there are no phone numbers - that way you can't call the company the check is written on or the bank to confirm it.

My elderly mother also received a check from United Bulb Co.  The letter started as:  "We are pleased to inform you through this certificate that our network system shows you as the lucky winner of our International Promotions Program, which is conducted semi-annually."   "CONGRATULATIONS! You won 3rd place of the January 31st, 2012 sweepstakes draw, which gives you prize money in the amount of $450,000.00 USD."   Then the letter went on to say that the enclosed check of $2256.31 from United Bulb Co will enable her to pay for the delivery, insurance & processing of her winnings and contact Miss Jennifer Watson at 1-289-772-6209.  The check was never cashed.

The FTC says this is a scam http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre40.shtm The check will bounce after a few days. If you wire money to the scammers, you will be wiring REAL money (your money) to the scammers. You will be out the money you sent them (if you've done so), you may be prosecuted for passing a bad check and you will be hit with a lot of bank fees. Call your bank ASAP and tell them what happened and that you did not know the check was bad. Your bank has no way to tell whether you are an unwitting victim or a willing participant in the scam. It will end much better for you if you come clean NOW before the check bounces.

Got a check from United Bulb company for 2256.31, which I cashed and the bank accepted.  The letter said I won $450,000.00.  I cannot find this company anywhere, Worldwide Prize Agency.  This is the number I had to call to verify my winnings.

They didn't call me, they just sent this letter. And I cashed the check.  I want to know if this is a legitimate company.

If this is a scam I want to know immediately.  e-mail me at sandyil@comcast.net or call me at 773/625-2315