We got a check for our home improvement grant for $4,855.55 out of a total $41,000.  We called the guy, who sounded foreign, and he told us to deposit the check and take out $3,150 and send $2,999 of that Western Union - the other $151 was to pay the Western Union Fee - to a person in New York, New York.  All of this sounded funny to us - a letter with a Canada stamp on it from a company called "Allied Group, Inc." (which does exist, although is in New Jersey and makes filters and mufflers) headquartered in New York with a check drawn on an Ohio bank with the Summit Brands logo on it (a company based in Indiana) and the phone number we had to call - 289-892-2842 - is in Ontario with the guy wanting us to send close to $3,000 to someone in New York.  We were ecstatic to see we won money, but when we put it all together along with calling the Better Business Bureau who said it was a scam - you'll lose money and could go to jail for participating in a foreign lottery, as they call it, so we shredded the check and the letter.  Bottom line, if it's from a foreign country it's fake, a scam, and not worth it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP. i RECEIVED A CHECK TODAY. i GOT ON THE COMPUTER FIRST AND LOOKED UP THE PHONE NUMBER AND I GOT FEED BACK FROM YOU GUYS. THANKS A LOT I AM GLAD I DID NOT MAK A FOOL OF MYSELF. LOOK AT THE CHECK REAL GOOD IT IS NOT WATERMARKED. THANKS AGAIN

I received same check and letter , and immediately start researching on internet . Found all theses posts here , thought it may be scam beforehand . The company name is Quantum Financial Inc . I did not call or reply to them in any way . thanks for the scam info from all of you !!

I recevieved them same sort of letter mine was from QGI quantum group inc. They sent me a check for $4,550.50 to pay for the taxes and fee to receive the grant of $41,000.000. The letter said to call 1-289-892-3968 and ask for Frank Baker or Nancy Gibson I called and spoke with Frank he read me the letter and when I explained that I could read and I wanted to know how this worked he got very pissy with me and said if I don't want to cash the check I don't have to but this will be the last time contacting me. He also gave me another # 877-227-4759 I was supposed to call this # after cashing the check for further instuctions. this is most definatley a SCAM!!! please take the time to read the reviews on all of these numbers. no one is going to send you a check and then ask for you to send them money back to pay for the taxes!!!!! SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!!

Took me forever to find this post, but it's true. SCAM Pure and Simple. I received the exact same check. Same names to call, same addresses, same answer from bank. Counterfiet.The scary part, the 888 num is listed on the check as their fax number. That was my first give away.

I GOT A CHECK FOR 4,715.70 FROM MRAZ DISCOVERY HOME SUPPLIES,LTD-C/O CHAPMAN BIRD GREY&TESSLER INC- 1990 S BUNDY DRIVE #200 LOS ANGELES,   CA 90026.NOW I TYPED THE ADDRESS JUST AS IT APPEARED ON THE CHECK, WHY IS CALIFORNIA SO FAR FROM LOS ANGELES, ALSO WHAT TYPE OF NAME IS CHAPMAN BIRD GREY.WHEN I GOGGLED THE ADDRESS THE ZIPCODE CAME UP 90025. THAT WAS ONE FLAG THAT WENT UP IN MY HEAD.THE BANK ON THE CHECK SAID COMERICA BANK-CALIFORNIA 200 AVENUE OF THE STARS SUITE 210 LOS ANGELES, CA  90067.NOW I THOUGHT WHAT TYPE OF ADDRESS IS THAT AND ALSO WHY DOES THE BANK SAYS SUITE 210 AND THE COMPANY HAS #200.THE LETTER I GOT CAME FROM FALCON TRUST, INC P.O. BOX 1500 BROOKLYN, NY 11216, BUT THE NUMBER I CALLED SHOW UP ON MY PHONE THAT I WAS CALLING CANADA. THE LETTER SAID TO CONTACT FRANK CAMPBELL OR JENNIFER ROBERT.MY GRANT AMOUNT WAS FOR 41,000.I GOGGLE D ALL THE COMPANYS, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS AND COME TO A DEAD END. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I LOOKED UP COMERICA BANK AND GOT THEIR NUMBER AND CALLED(800)522-2265,I READ THE ACCOUNT NUMBER OFF TO THEM . THE BANK ASSURED ME THAT THE ACCOUNT(1892552611)WAS REAL BUT IT DIDN'T BELONG TO THE COMPANY ON THE CHECK.  PLEASE BECAREFUL THIS IS A SCAM!!!!!

i received the same check did it ever bounce for you or were you scammed?  not sure what to do

I received a letter in the mail today from American Idol with 2 checks enclosed.I call the number an left a message and they called right back. He told me to deposit the smaller check ($2950.00) which would pay the taxes for the bigger check ($20,000.00) He said to deposit right away and call he when it cleared. He would then send me to a loction so I could write a check and pay for the taxes and then I could deposit the $20,000.00 check. He said that American Idol is looking for tax breaks and that why people are winning this money. DON'T DEPOSIT THIS MONEY. tHE WHOLE THING IS A BIG SCAM!!

U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud. If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or administrative action against the violator.
Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service will carefully review the information you provide. If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

Fake Check Scam:  Don?t deposit it ? report it! Report fake check scams to NCL's Fraud Center, at www.fraud.org. That information will be transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

You need to send a complaint to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
This is an urgent matter, immediately contact your nearest law enforcement agency. You may also go to the Federal Trade Commission site.

EVERYONE!!!!
REPORT THIS SCAM!!!!

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

REPORT THIS SCAM!

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED CHECK IN THE MAIL IT IS FAKE ALTERED AND NEEDS TO BE REPORTED
Here is the link to report this
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

report check from this number to UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTOR, MAIL FRAUD. This is a Fake and Altered Check!

Everyone who got this check needs to report it to the UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTOR for mail fraud is a federal offense. The check is Fake and Altered. Help by reporting to US Postal Inspector. www.uspostalmailfraud.gov

Thank you so much for your help!! I recieved the exact same letter today. I just had a gut feeling it was a rip off. Mine was from HOMELIFE GROUP,INC. The check had Briggs and Stratton Dev. Inc. It was for 4,550.20 U.S. Bank, N.A. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. James C. Brenn is the signature on it. SCAM!!SCAM!!SCAM!! If you have to send money to get money that should be the First and ONLY clue you need. Please watch out for this SCAM!!!Thank You.

got the exact same letter in iowa

I received a letter and check from Briggs & Stratton Dev; Inc. with a check for $1990.60 on a supposed business/home improvement grant for $37,000.00. The letter and check look authentic, but my first scam clue was the semi-colon in the business title.  When I researched Briggs & Stratton and found out they deal in small engines, I knew the letter was VERY fishy. Briggs & Stratton have a good reputation with Better Business Bureau, so I did a search on the phone number listed.  I was rewarded with finding this site.
BEWARE OF THESE TYPES OF SCAM LETTERS!!!  They look realistic, but are clever products from SCUM con artists.

STAY AWAY!!! We got this same letter with a check for 3,980 stating to use this money for taxes and fees for the claim of 39,000.00 for my home improvement grant.We had to call to activate the check at number (289-892-4683)Ask for Jennifer Hayes or Tony Robinson.We did and cash the check into the account and sent them the 1950.00 they requested for the fees. Then the checked bounced. After sending the money, needless to say we got scammed and put in debit 3,980 dollars.

we got the same letter. when i called, he sounded foreigner(nigerian accent). he told me to deposit the check and  pay the fee. when i asked him if i can deduct the fee from the check amount because it might be a scam, he said,it is not a scam(he won't admit of course :) ) if you pay, it's ok. if you don't , don't worry about it and hang up. so it is for sure a scammmmmm

The number for the bank on the check is wrong. Call information and you will get the REAL number for the bank and find out that the money wasnt EVER there! When you cash the check they send and then do as they say you get stuck with a bounced check and they get the cash. DO NOT DO THIS...I PROMISE YOU IT IS A SCAM!!!!!

I have the same check I received it yesterday. Did you ever go through with it? Did you get your money?What happened?

I received this same letter and check today.
I had my bank to verify that the check was good. They called the bank it was drawn on and verified the funds were available and the company was legit.
How does this scam work ?

I have this same Letter and Check.

SCAM alert:

I got a check for $4,980.00 from Fidelity Trust (Phone:  289-892-2730; Fax:  888-414-7953)along with a letter congratulating me on my home improvement grant approval. The grant for $39,000.00 was supposed to have been deposited into an escrow account. The check for $4,980.00 was a deduction from the total grant ($39,000.00) to assist me in paying the necessary fees and taxes.... SCAM!

Stay away from this scam.