Got a letter. Is it a scam?

I too got the check for 4500.00.
The agent rattled off how if I get the check cleared, then she would send me the local tax people to send the $2,980.00. The lady at my bank warned me not to deposit it. She's been working there for 4 years and has seen many of the same skeems come thru. This one is thru Canada so it takes it longer to clear. Even if it turns out to be a bad check and pay the $9 dollars fee, it will make it more difficult in the future to trust the next check are legid so they will have to be cleared.

i have the same letter.iam going 2 call the bank the check is from. it is in manisfield or take it there 2 c if they will cash it REGIONS BANK RIGHT UP THE ROAD. would be nice if it was REAL.

Have you read/watched the news?   Citibank is in on this.

I got a letter too with a 4500 dollar check they want me to cash with a 2000000 check number out of regions bank. A popular branch here. I wish I knew who to contact. I have been getting more and more of these scams. I bet they are connected to some of the get rich quick schemes on the infomercials.

Like you Lizzy I recived the same letter with the same phone number and ext. It is true everyone this is a scam, and when the fed's get close they change there routine just slightly. So beware if you get the same letter and only the phone number is different, it is still the same scam!

I received this letter too, it sounds to good to be true someone needs to contact Citi bank and make them aware that someone is making out checks using their bank name.  This is a lie.  Dont fall for this its not true.

Adam:  are you a scammer or a scammee?

Does anyone have Tim Phillips, Tara Fowler, or Barbara Hall's email addresses?  I've tried calling the number, ext 204.  I haven't been able to get through to tell them that my little sister is hearing impaired and needs to communicate via email =]

I called the Athol Credit Union.  They asked me before I said much if the check was for $4500.

This is a total scam.

I received a letter too.  I called the number and was told all the same info.  I called the bank and they said it was a fraud.  I faxed a copy of the letter and the check to them.  The number I called was 1-905-995-6776 ext 201.

I recieved the same thing with Barbara Hall as contact info....What has happened after you deposited it? Was it legit? I talked to my attorney in regards to this, he called the number and spoke to them and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary but he told me to be careful and make sure the funds are cleared before I pay the tax amounts...Mom what happened?

To All:  remember, they want your money now.  They want you to wire good funds before the $4500 is returned. (see above)

If you endorse the check the only way they get to see the back of the check is if it is paid and they receive it in their statement.

Even then the info on the back is what is on every check you mail out.   Should you decide to deposit, ask your bank to stamp it for endorsement,  The bank has a "endorsement guarantee" stamp.  Your personal bank info need not appear on the back.

Mom and Others:   They key here was 2-3 days.   The check is drawn on a Credit Union in Maine.   Your bank may clear the funds, "funds availability schedule" and make them available for your use, however that does not necessarily mean the paper has completed the potential return process.  What they are hoping for is a quick availability schedule, you think the things are legit, you send the money gram, and then the check is returned, charged to your account and you are out the $2,980.00.

Very similar scam with items sold on EBay and the purchaser sens too much ans asks you to send the overage to a friend.

just received a letter similar to the other recipients. it was addressed to my father who died last year. if you noticed, look at the way it was sent. the sender could not even do it correctly. it was all phony i supposed because the addresse name is inverted as to the stamp location. i agree that once you deposit the check your information will be forwarded to this people whoever they are. people please take good care of your identity!

Mom,

It's been a few days since you deposited your check.  What has happened?  I too received a check.

I received the same letter addressed to my brother, who left the US more than 5 years ago...so he couldn't possibly enter any sweepstake! I called the number for details. The person claimed that the sweepstakes were from various stores, including walmart, target, etc...all generic and very vague..basicly any place that sell merchandises. She explained $2980 is for state tax, but couldn't tell me which state this is for. Last but not least, she claimed I could keep most of $450,000 since I don't have to pay regular income tax...how sweet!

Thanks all of you for sharing this. Very helpful.

My daughter recieved a letter addressed to her maiden name. Same as above. A check included to pay the taxes. She was told to call 1-905-995-6256 ext 204 and speak with Barbara Hall. She called and spoke with a women who told her to put the check in the bank and in 2-3 day call back when it cleared and she would give her further instructions. Well we deposited the check and we have allerted the bank. Hopefully we can track this and catch these people.
Thanks to all of you for posting.

I RECEIVED THE SAME LETTER FROM CANADA, IT WAS MAILED TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S ADDRESS WHERE I HAVE NEVER RESIDED. IT HAS A CONTACT AS BRIAN SMITH AT 905-995-6256M EXT, 201. THIS NUMBER IS A CELL PHONE ACCORDING TO REVERSE LOOKUP IN WHITEPAGES.COM. DEFINITELY A SCAM IN ORDER TO OBTAIN PERSONAL BANKING INFO & IDENTITY.....PRETTY PATHETIC WAY TO TRY TO RIP OFF THE PUBLIC.

My mom just told me about something that came in her mailbox,with my name on it. I live about four hours away, so why, If it was really important and true, would they not have my correct address in this day and age considering I have been living in a different city for about eleven years!

The number to call is the same one as the first reader.

Yea, I got a letter toO this weekend and the letter had a Canadian Stamp on it, however the letter was noteing an address out in Indiana. Sounds pretty fishy to me, considering I am paying who - Canada or Indiana? During these desperate times of our Economy, someone is desperately trying hard to get a hold of your bank information or should I dare say it "IDENTITY". This is the way I see it, You cash the check- the person sending out this check will get it back as cashed and as they turn that cashed check around- they will see your signature (for cashing it) and then your bank would have stamped all your bank account information on it as well. WA- LA true Identity will now become some one else. Don't Fall for it- If I won something this big, I want someone knocking down my door with a television crew.

skeptic Kris

Not a call but a letter with the call back number 1-905-995-6256 EXT.203
claiming i won some money they sent a check to pay for the taxes on the prize money
names:
Veridian Group Inc.
A Division Of Citi Financial Services
Envelop:
canada postmark