My elderly parents received a letter and "check" from trustnet. The letter claims "we are pleased to inform you that you are one of the winners in the 'north america consumer promotion draw' organized for all customers of... Walmart [sic], sears, homedepot [sic], safeway." they then go on to say that the prize is $50, 000, and the the check enclosed is to be cashed and returned in the form of money transfer in order to pay the "non residents" [sic] tax applicable to the winning. My parents identified this as a scam, but I thought i'd report it to help others.
Their scam uses a bunch of different addresses to confuse the reader (or cover their tracks):
- the return address on the envelope was metro hall station, 55 john st., toronto, on m8v3c3 (I looked this up, it's a toronto civic center).
- the trustnet address on the letterhead is 4333 charles drive, salt lake city (misspelled with saltlake all one word), telephone [protected].
- the claim agent is listed as nicole newman, phone number [protected] (a toronto area code).
- the tax agent (the person you're supposed to send $3, 880 to) is listed as sara jean, 453 2nd avenue, ottawa, canada, m6r3c5 (which google maps can't locate).
- the letter is "signed" by m. Disher (vice president), phone number [protected].
- the enclosed check for $3, 990.00, made out in my father's name, is supposedly written on the account of helmsman management services llc, 185 decker ct, irving, tx 75062, from fleet national bank in hartford, ct (which no longer exists because it was bought out by bank of america in 2007).
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Today my Father, a disabled man who lives in the poverty tax brachette recieved one of thses Lovely checks. The check was issued for 950.00. Being a smart man he figured it was fraud but considering he had filled out a entry form and 2 of the 3 places, one being walmart the other being home depot, so he wasnt sure. This check did look legit with the water marks and all...the weary part was they said the check was from Chase bank with no logo and every chase check ive ever had said chase manhattan. We called chase bank and they said that the check numbers starting with 2116 were comming back as fraud, My father then called the "so called" claims agent Nicole Hamilton (they are switching there names all around) asking to speak with her supervisor she stated that he was not in the office today, my father then said that it did not sound like she was in a office and that she sounded like she was sitting at home and proceeded to tell her what chase bank told him, she then hung up the phone. so i did some research and found this site...the latest info they are giving is Claims agent Nicole Hamilton, Tax agent Sandra andrews 453 2nd ave. London UK, vice president M. Disher...my opinion is they will be caught soon, but that wont stop the next scam artist...they will be judged for there wrong doing but untill then i hope they suffer in prison!
I receive the same letter with a cashier's check for 985.18 from sooper credit union. I then looked up the number of the credit union, contacted them, gave them the # off the check and who signed it. They quickly informed me it was a scam and to forward everything I'd receive to them to be investigated. I suggest every else do the same.
Was fun... messing with them, they actually think we would western union them $3, 0000 dollars so funny, so rude that people from other countries are scam artists looking to screw us americans after we send them food and aid...I am so offended! I am writting the President Obama to see if he will cut out aid for all those [censor]!
Got one today from One Broadway, 16th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142
I just got one today and decided to do some research and found this page. The letter starts just as "lookingoutformom" states exept it came from OPINION OUTPOST. INC. Thank-you so much for the info and I am worried, just how did they get my name and mailing address?
Similar to the above mentioned claims, I received a letter today.
The address 1100 112th Av 1351 Washington blv. Suite 5000 stamford CT 06902. The website was globaltestmarket.com
I immediately went to the website, where it says it is a BBB. Afterward I looked up the GLOBAL TEST MARKET on the BBB and found different address and, clearly, above there are 2 street addresses, neither being the one I found. This letter was in response to "seeking an additional income part-time job." The telephone number is [protected], [protected] or [protected]. The letter is signed by Joseph Coring. The check was for $3420, in my name, and was sent by SOVEREIGN BANK address 1125 Berkshire Blvd, Wyomissing, PA [protected]. The idea was, again, to deposit the check and western union 2980 of it to someone, spend 100 at a local retail, etc.
Luckily, I googled the address and this lovely site popped up. I am so grateful everyone on here was nice enough to share their stories to avoid this from happening in the future. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I recently received one of these checks and letters as well. I'm recently engaged and have been signing up for different bridal sweepstakes and for bridal magazines and different websites. I'm guessing that is how they stole all of my information. I deposited the check, my bank cashed it and nearly 3 weeks later it came back as NSF. My thoughts were just the same, I honestly thought I had one some sort of sweepstakes that I had signed up for! Of course I used the money to pay off some bills and now my account is WAY overdrawn. This is the first time I have ever been overdrawn. I live paycheck to paycheck and there is no way I can pay it off. What am I supposed to do? I feel like such an idiot!
My 19 year old son received one of these checks. I am just glad that he is away at Marines bootcamp or he would have thought it was real and cashed it. The letter goes one to say he was entitled to $9851.80 for the North America Consumer Promotion Draw for customers of Wal-mart, Sears, Home Depot, Safeway. They will be sending his winnings by Certified Check to be delivered by Fedex or UPS. He needs to contact Roy Smith on [protected] . They enclosed a check for $985.18. Per your state regulations a tax amount of $900.00 Will be required before your lump some winning can be sent to you. The letter is signed by J.J. Sparks Voce President finance. The Check is drawn from Credit Union of Texas 8131 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX and was signed by ? Greg McClellen ? not sure of the name as it is sloppy writing. We live near a large retirement city and college kids so I am going to notify the local police, news stations, and banks. I hope that someone catches these thieves and makes them pay restitution and jail time until they can pay everyone back that fell for this scam!
Wow. Thank you, all of you for posting on here. It saved me a huge mess up. I almost cashed this check for $985.18 and I really can't come up with the $$ to fix it. Glad I looked on here! You guys are lifesavers. I'm going to email the feds about this. It's getting way out of hand. It says " One Broadway, 16th Floor, Cambridge MA 02142
RE: AWARD CLAIM NOTIFICATION (in bold it says)
Claim Number DMT 10-28-98
Tells me to call a Roy Smith on [protected]
Who is my "claim agent"
Oh yeah, it says CONGRATULATIONS! If that isn't a pie in the face. I hope we catch these jokers. You do know that they will reap exactly what they sow.
My elderly folks got one too from Precision Holdings. Check was also for $3500 and the so called tax officer was “Edith Hardy, 15 Oxford Street, WC 12 PD London, United Kingdom.” Scammers are apparently using the same Oxford Street, WC 12 PD London address (except for street #) if it is from the UK. The tel nos. this time are: [protected] or [protected].
Before the letter, they originally called claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House and that my folks won $50, 000, and insisted they were legit. They gave a claim # to my mom and said that my folks will get the money sent to them the next day, just wanted to verify the mailing address.
On the next day, as expected, no one showed up but folks did get a call from someone claiming to be from the US Border Patrol in Dallas, TX. After hanging up on them, they sent the scam letter and check.
I’m wondering where else we can expose this scam to so many more will know? I wonder if the FBI will do anything about this.
Hope these scammers will be caught soon.
My mother also received a letter. It was from Federal Express, One Broadway, 16th Floor, Cambridge, MA [protected].
The letter read the same as the rest and the check was for $985.18. The check was drawn on the Credit Union of Texas, 8131 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75251. She was suppose to call Tracy Parker at [protected]. The routing number on the check is not the routing number for the Credit Union of Texas.(It's not a listed routing number at all, [protected].) The letter is signed by J J Sparks, Vice President Finance.
A woman actually called my mother and tried to harass her into sending money. She even told my mother someone would be bringing her the money that afternoon so my mother hung up and called me to go over because she didn't want them to come. When I got to the house, the women had called her back and she was on the phone with her when I came in and when I started asking questions the woman hung up. I had called the police on my way over to my mom's but they said they couldn't do anything unless someone showed up.
Thank you all for posting. I hope someone can shut these people down!
Please let everyone you know that these people are up to no good. I received a letter that stated that I won $9, 968.00 for a contest that I did not enter. I would then have to send them a check for $900.00 up front. Burn these letters as soon as you receive ONE... I pray that the FBI look into this matter and lock up the [censor]...How dare you use stores to promote your dirty dealings. You have messed with the wrong girl. MAMG, Alex. VA.
It's me again MAMG, Alex.VA. I need to put the [censor] information down. FINANCIAL EXPRESS {[protected]} ONE BROADWAY, 16TH FLOOR, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142, NORTH AMERICA CONSUMER PROMOTION DRAW, contact person NICOLE WILLIAMS [protected], VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE J.J. SPARKS CLAIMS AGENT. What a JOKE...
MAMG, Alex.VA
Here is a twist. My winnings are from "Repubic of Ireland & North America Consumer promothion Draw". SOOO funny. At the bottom of the letter it says, and I quote, " For security reasons, and unwarrented abuse of this program, you are advised to keep your winning confidential until you recieve you winning." LOL
I just recieved a letter today too, but mine is from PLUSNET a financial express company from amarill tx. Same letter that is going around but changed a bit. Wow the check looks real. I'm going to turn mine in to officials here and see if I can help.
They are still at it. My father-in-law received a claim notification from them on March 6, 2011. As we told him, you get nothing for nothing.
I'm glad that folks have made their experiences noted.
wow just received one today. $990.00 and supposingly i am entitled to $9, 968.OO. I pray also they catch these people. I hope no Elderly person falls for this scam.
Mine has Schratter Foods, Inc. 333 Fairfield Road, Fairfield NJ 07004 -NorthAmerica Consumer Promotion Draw.
I received a letter just yesterday, Saturday. The letter said that I had won 9, 968.00 and there was a check for 990.00. this check is for my state regulations, tax amount, which is required before I can receive my winnings. The letter is on FSA, Financial Services Authority leeter head, which is a lagit agency. The address on the letter is 90 Rowes Warf, Boston MA 02110. Signed by vice president of finance Joan Arks. There is a claim number. The check is written on a bank by the name of Marshall & Ilsley Bank from Eiden, MN 55410. In the upper left hand corner of the check it says, ROCKLER Companies incorporated Willow drive Medina MN 55340. The back of the check has water marks that are heat sensitive and lots of what says are security features. The letter tells me not to act until I talk to my claim officer Janet Simms, [protected], there is a number at the top of the letter also. it is [protected]. My daughter wanted me cash this check right away, thank god it was a Saturday. I researched instead and found all these people who had received the same letter with a check. I am not sure what to do with this check. I mean who to give it to in order to help catch these people.
I received one of these letters and check in January. Was thinking about calling the bank (Kansas Corporate Credit Union) and asking them why their name was on the scam check. Guess it couldn't hurt. I feel sorry for people who fall into these scams and lose their money to these crooks. KS
My mother-in-law received this same letter and check this past week. Check amount was $985.18 to pay the $900.00 in taxes to win $9851.80. Claim agent Charles Williams at [protected]. Letterhead address 4333 Charles Drive, Arlington, TX 76006. Return address on envelope is North York Civic Centre - 5100 Yonge St., North York, ON M2N 5V7. Check drawn on Heritage Trust - Federal Credit Union - PO Box 118000, Charleston, SC [protected].
Called the guy, and funny thing, he had and island accent (Jamaican or Bahamian) and sounded as though I just woke him up. Asked him if this was a fraud and he said "No, of course not." Told him I was going to contact my lawyer before trying to cash the check. No more conversation.
I just recieve one of these bogus letters today. letterhead adress 4333 charles dr. arrlighton tx. phone number [protected], jennifer thompson. amount 985.15. I almost believed it but anything that looks unfamilar to me i investigate so i looked them up on line and it led me to this web site I am just so glad that I don't just go for anything jokes on you TRUSTNET...
I too receive a letter along with a check. Why is this not illegal? Who can we contact to prevent these people from scamming someone? The address on my letter was from 4333 charles drive in Arlington, TX. Scammers have too much lead way!
i got one today as well i told my daughter it was fake and guess what im wright what a bunch off @$$ any way i wont even take to the bank now that i read this sight thanks guys
I received one of those bogus checks and letter today, knew it was a scam and sure enough when I type in the name up popped this website. There are no water marks in the check, big tipoff. I hope there are more out there who do not believe this is real. My check was for 3, 690.68; the thing they did not realize is...I DID NOT ENTER A CONTEST, so how could I win a prize.
Got one on that dated June 15, 2011 but I receive it after the 4th of July chech look real but the letter had alot of misspelled words an a texas address but the phone number is out of the state and when I call to find out what this hold thing was all about they told me read the paper and call them back. Crazy
I received one of those letters on 3 September 2011. It was sent from Constitution State Services, LLC., P.O. Box 42927, Houston, TX [protected]. The check was made out to me and it was from CITIBANK, N.A. One Penn’s Way, New Castle, DE 19720, for $3, 100. My first instinct was this is a scam. I checked each of the names and numbers, would find a part or most of them. The “tax agent” name is Nancy Vela and her address a Music Hall(?) in London, United Kingdom; the “promotion director” name is Larry Cole.
I got one yesterday, for 3250.oo. I really could use that kind of money right now and it pulled on me to go and try to cash it today. But before leaving I googled the "UK & North American..., etc etc, " Wow! I knew deep down that this most likely wasn't legit but after coming to this site, reading the comments and all the good info all of you provided, I KNOW THIS IS A SCAM.
MORAL OF THE STORY: KNOW MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS DO NOT LOSE SITE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU DONT ADHERE TO SOUND PRINCIPLE AND ADVICE. ALWAYS CONSULT SOMEONE WHEN DEALING IN SMALL OR LARGE FINANCIAL MATTERS. ITS THE WISE THING TO DO.
GET FREE AND STAY FREE... I WON THIS ONE! THANK GOD!
My situation mirrors the first complaint on this page. they are very clever about sending.. It all seems so real. Do not fall for it. It is one of the biggest scams around.
got one today for 3500 suppose to mail in 1900 to SUSAN WILLS 25 gunner ln, se 18th 6xn LONDON, UK.
check header says: Plastipak Packaging Inc.
41605 ann arbor road
plymouth, MI 48170
BANK: Lasalle Bank Midwest N.A
Troy, MI 48084
phone number: [protected]
My mother got one in the mail and just cashed it. The bank said they would release the money in 2 days. Thanks to this website and very helpful information... we will be canceling out this transaction and changing her Bank account! ASAP
Hi, i just received a letter with a check for $822.15. The letter has a logo from northern trust, 522 s. State st. Chicago, il. 60605, tel. [protected], ext-2 claim number 15-08-gt-20. I'm suppost to contact my claim agent by the name of fred parker at the number above, and i can't take any action until i talk to this guy first. The vice-president of finance is c. Witherspoon. The message is the same as the other letters, from " north america comsumer promotion draw" and that i am entitled to the sum of $8, 221.50. My winnings will be payable by certified check and it will be delivered either by fed ex or ups. I have to pay $700 tax before i be able to get the lump sum. The check looks legitimate, even the back of it. Is from "arvest bank", 338 fifth st. Jay, ok, 74346., ah, the letter is stamped "confidential" all across in big letters, so they have tried the best way possible so they be able to fool people into their scam. Everybody, please, be aware! this not the only way the scammers will rob you out of your cash. They use letters, they use the phones, they use e-mails, and any other way, that can look legal to you. Oh, by phone they real persistent. They scam me out of $2, 700 last year, all that was suppost to covered different government taxes and international customs, they got me because i was playing international lotteries, and the caller call me about 5 times to convince me to accept the prize of$4.5 millions. Everytime i talk to specific guy, and he will tell me i have to send $500 for this and $600 for that, until i have paid all that money. With the promise that my money was gonna be delivered, i waited every day for two weeks, it never happened. And those guys vanished from the face of the earth, and the government won't do nothing to help us out, once they get your money you lose it. The way they get your cash without leaving a trace is that they make you pay them with those green dot cards, they sell it in waltmart, walgreens and all other places, once you give them those digits on the card, that's all she wrote, you will never gonna see your cash ever again. And they will never stop, ever, when its not one it will be another, with different names or different schemes. We got to pay attention to details.
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We got one too and they are calling my Mom on a regular basis. We are filing Mail Fraud with the Postal Inspector at www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov
I got one of those letters today for $985.20. I knew it was too good to be true. I hope they get caught
Please be alert this organization is on the hunt once again and hitting the San Antonio, TX area. My parents just got scammed and it is ashame that this group is not tracked and in prison for taking advantage of seniors and disabled veterans. The day will come when the criminals of this organization "North American Consumer Promotional Draw" can't hide. They are commiting check fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud and mail fraud.
Got a check stating I won 60, 260.00.if I cash the small check. Make a money order an send it back the they will deliver the big check.I knew it was a scam.carol palm
Sent check 1228.80 deposits in savings account came back 4 days later insufficient funds
Just to let you know that this scam is alive and well in 2022. One of my clients came to me today with one of their letters and check. Thanks for the heads up!
It's alive and well in California! Nov 2022
They strike in NC today! Don't fall for this! Thank goodness Mom lives with us! Otherwise she would have taken the check right to the bank!
I hope these suckers get caught! Preying on the elderly! Same on them!