[seeker1950]

Hi, Folks,
I've rec'd an email saying I've won $250,000. Today, I rec'd a phone call stating the same, but saying I must send $2,000 to an obscure email address: sandramendez@1univrd. Both the email and the phone call said the money is stuck in "customs," until I pay the $2,000, since it is thru an insurance company. I would think, if I had truly won something, I would have to pay nothing. Also, today, the man on the phone stated that it was thru an insurance company in Canada, entitled "Belaire, Inc." I find no such company on the Internet. I told the fella on the phone that it sounded like a "scam." I said, "Have them contact me." and he said he'd "turn it back to 'them'."
What do y'all think?
Seeker

[CedarS]

Definitely a scam. Always a scam if it asks for money up front like this, and unfortunately they keep getting people to do just that, send in money.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/lucky_day.html

"Legitimate sweepstakes don't require you to pay or buy something to enter or improve your chances of winning, or to pay "taxes" or "shipping and handling charges" in advance to get your prize."

http://www.fraud.org/

http://www.fraud.org/tips/telemarketing/sweepstakes.htm

"Never pay to play. It’s illegal for a company to require you to buy something or pay a fee in order to win or claim a prize."

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Sarah,
I've used a couple of the links you provided to report this, and ask questions. I should think if someone truly won a prize, there would be no expense involved!
Thanks again!
Patty "Seeker"

[January]

Hi Seeker,

It's definately a scam. Report them to the Attorney General's office. They'll take care of it for you.

Jan

[eskielover]

Glad you recognized the scam.....there are so many things out there to take advantage of us. When things don't make any sense, that is the time to question & not do anything except report it.

Debbie

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Jan and Eskie,
If it sounds too good to be true.... LOL!
I'm sure there are some unfortunate people who would fall for it too. Especially elderly folk.
It's too bad there are such predators out there.
Seeker

[eskielover]

That is similar to the home care RN that I caught stealing my Mothers ID....only difference was that I caught her physically doing it along with many other things that ended up causing me to have experiencs that were finally described as PTSD....go figure how someone like that could have that much influence on my life.

It is the get rich quick thinking that make these people tick....the RN got away with $15,000 in jewelry & tried to write checks (that I stopped payment on), & stole credit cards that the fraud service caught......big mess besides the police she called accusing me of abuse to my Mother.

The scam effects us when it comes from an unknown source, but when we are in the middle of it & it is constantly hitting us...it can take some time to even realize what is going on around us.

It is all scarry that there are people in this world that are like that......horrible when we have to think like a criminal to protect ourselves.

And this is my soap box...lol,
Debbie