yeah, I just got my letter today with the $4,700 check...so what happens if I just try deposit the check?...does it bounce?...there isn't anything written on the check like "I agree to do (whatever) by cashing this check", it just looks like a normal check

That sounds exactly like my letter (and I mean EXACTLY) except that the check is on a different bank.

I am very very very tempted just to go deposit the check in my account without calling "Tammy" (or whomever) and see what happens. The only thing that would stop me is fear of somehow getting in trouble with the law myself....

I don't see how simply depositing the check can give them access to your account. I never heard of this being the case before. If people whose checks I deposit in my account then have access to my account, I'm in real trouble!

I received a letter with a check. The letter is similar to what other people here have described, so I'm sure it's the same scam. I'm including the information here for what it's worth.

MAC CORPORATION
Promotions Division, Prize and Award Presentation
North American International Claims Dept.
20 King St.
Ottawa, ON, Canada K6V 3P6
Tel: 905-781-2128

What gets me, though, is that notice included what looks like a real check for $4,700 to pay "Government/bond fees" of $2800. What I don't get is how the scam works. If they're looking to gyp me out of money, why would they send me money? I'm guessing either they're looking for information to use in identity theft or somehow there are "additional fees" involved that exceed the amount they sent me. (These people stay up nights thinking of these scams, I guess.)

The letter says to call the number first and get instructions before cashing the check but I can't help but wonder -- what happens if I just go cash the check and don't call the number? I'm guessing it will bounce but I'm very tempted -- it's on JPMorgan Chase Bank, which is real and the check itself actually looks legit. I'm tempted but not sure whether I would get in trouble if I actually deposited it to my account.

I got the same thing and have not gone to the bank as yet. Have you?

I got the same letter on Saturday 1-31.  It was from ArcelorMittal corporation.  When I googled that Corp. there was no link to anything concerning a promotions division.  It is a steel corp that has about 10% of the world production of steel.  It has nothing to do with any type of prizes or awards.  They obviously want to gain access to your bank account.  I though I would scam them be opening a new account with a new bank, deposit the check, take out 2000 and then close the account.  They could do whatever they wanted with this new account because ther would never be any  action in it.  No payroll, no bill paying, nothing.  It probably would not work, but it would be nice to stick it to them.

I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT I HAD WON 120,000.00 AND NEEDED TO CALL THE PHONE NUMBER 647-997-5595.  I IMMEDIATELY WENT ON LINE TO SEE WHAT I COULD FIND.  I AM GLAD I DID!!   WHERE CAN I TAKE THE LETTER AND CHECK TO TURN THESE PEOPLE IN?

I received the same information as everyone else announcing that I had won the SHOPPERS LOTTERY held on January 5, 2009 for the amount of $120,000 USD.  I also received a check on the HSBC Bank USA in Bulls Head, NY.  Deposit the check into an account that only has $100 in it, have your bank call the HSBC Bank with the account number and hold the amount for deposit against collection.  Then call Miss Tammie Womack (Claim Agent) and tell her that you have a hold on that check.  Make sure your bank confirms that funds are available on the firts check and they will be cleared to your account.  If the check clears and the money is deposited to your account, then go to step two and pay the bond fee's by bank wire from your bank to the con artists bank, after all it's there money that you are using.  If you then are wired the balance as Ms. Womack states she is wiring then the con continues.  You have conned the con.  Also make your own call to the bank which has the so called Government/bond fee and see if the check is real or even if the bank is real.  If all is just BS, then go to the postal inspectors @ the U.S. Post office nearest to you and if you really are a good detective call the Ottawa Office of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police/Bunco Squad and tell them your story.  Good luck.

Mr. Lucky

I posted a reply and question on this thread that has since disappeared...why did that happen?

I got the letter from "UNION CORPORATIONS" with the $4,700 check and I asked what would happen if I deposited it?...it looks like a good and normal check...no "I agree to do (whatever)" kind of language, just a check...what's the worst that could happen?

I also got this check, but I called the number. A Tammy Womack answered she congratulated me and told me to take the check to the bank and deposit it into my account then call her back. I asked her how I would know that this was lagite she said when I go to the bank I would be able to deposit it, that the check is real. I have not deposited it. Boy it sure is nice to dream, she said to call her back after the deposit and she would tell me what to do next, does not sound right to me.

Oh, jeez! Give me a freakin' break! I got a letter today in the mail from UPR Financial, a division of UPR Holdings from Miamisburg, OH...no return address, but it was postmarked out of Canada....saying that I had been selected through a computerized system to win $100,000.00 - they also sent a check for $4,488.53....it almost had me fooled, since it said it drew from Publisher's Clearing House and other big names (I send stuff in with them...)....my husband looked it over - immediately said "No Way!" and we called the 1-905-598-0633 # which said the mail box was full....we then got on-line to check on the status of the company and , um...there was not one....too bad - it sounds nice - wish it were true! Good thing we have a brain and won't let them take advantage of us! Suckers!!!! Have a lovely evening ya'll! :)

I did not get a call, but I did receive a letter and a check for $4875 in the mail.  The check was drawn on JPMorgan Chase Bank in Syracuse, NY 13201, check #47229. This check is to pay 'government applicable tax fees."
It is "Citizens Financial Award Inc., International Finance Department, Ontario"  It was a random computer ballot system which chose me and 20 others.  I was instructed to call a number and an Analyst by the name if Pamela Bishop @ 647-829-4187. By using Money Gram located in WAL MART stores and other locations.  If anyone locates or hears about these checks, please reply.

I really didn't expect to find the exact same letter that I received a few days ago in the mail, here on the internet, when I typed in the phone number to begin an investigation of it.

It's all the same: MB Financial... $4,700... one of 10 to split $5.5 million.

Wow!  I really hope others will find their way to this information and save themselves the bother.  If it's too good to be true, guess what!?!

Mine wasn't actually a call...I received a form letter with a $4,700 check drawn on MB Financial Bank out of Chicago.  The same phone number was given as the claim agent for Gulf Corporations Prize Division out of Ottawa, Canada.  Letter says I'm one of ten winners of the SHOPPERS LOTTERY and I was selected from 500,000 names from stores like Wal-Mart, Sears, and K-Mart.  I am to call this number for instructions on how to pa the applicable Government bond (payable at Western Union or Money Gram.  Letter is not personalized at all...just a stupid form letter.  Hopefully no one falls for this. I called the number, but the voice mail box was full.

Call from Zenith Corporation notifying of a money award of $4,700.  Our part is to pay to tax of $2,700 up front to release the check.  The check if issued from Commerce Bank/Harrisburg NA.  Want to report this scamm.