Reader's Digest Contest Scam

Reader's Digest Contest Scam

Topic Author: Betty Sexton

Posted: 2:05 PM Jun 23, 2009

Replies Posted: 413 comments

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Allen Read of Colorado Springs wanted me to check and see if he really was $150,000 richer. Allen I'm sorry to say... you're not!
Allen got a check which looks real, but isn't. The $3,120.75 check is what Allen is supposed to use to pay the processing fees. But the company issuing the check, Prime Contractors out of Houston, Texas says... it's a fake. It's been getting calls all over the country because the address and phone number are accurate, but that's about it.
Whenever you get one of these letters claiming you're a winner... do what I do... have fun debunking it!
In this case the letter was mailed from Canada, the phone number you're supposed to dial is in Montreal... yet the check is from Houston, Texas... and the Reader's Digest claims office is in Skokie, Illinois. Does that make sense? No. On top of that, the letter spells Reader's Digest... as Readers Digest... you think the crooks could've looked that up... because that's another red flag.
Remember, if you've really won a sweepstakes you won't be sent a check and told to pay fees upfront. Nobody does that except crooks!
Feel free to send me your sweepstakes offers and I'll share them with others and debunk them here.

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by Pamelua V. Location: Tucson, AZ on Feb 6, 2012 at 05:12 PM

My husband received a letter from Publisher LOTTERY PROMOTION, Chicago, IL through Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60521 with a check for $5,200.00 "to cover the insurance and administration fees with respect to your 200,000.00 US winning". The letter looks very professional with a claim number on it and several different stores listed at the bottom (including: Macy's, Walmart, the Home Depot Sears and the BBB). The thing that strikes me as odd is that there is no return address on the envelope or the letter.... Oh, and they are NOT LISTED WITH THE BBB! What a bummer! We really could have used that $200,000!

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by Susie Location: Carson, CA on Feb 6, 2012 at 03:09 PM

My husband just received his "wanna be lottery" ck in the mail for $5,200. I told him, if it sound too good to be true, then "it is too good to be true"! We called the number anyways(because) I wanted to pull their leg, however they think they are smart by having a recording say " In order to complete your call, you'll need a metro PCS calling card". Yeah right, they don't want to be traced. Lol, hope these people get caught by FBI and get a some good "Federal Time"

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by Maria Location: Garcia on Feb 3, 2012 at 05:43 AM

I have received this letter too, But I'm so suspicious and as this happened to my son who made deposit the check and when he started to spend the money has had trouble with his bank account that was closed by his bank . I came directly to internet to find information about this fraud and I found your notice. Here go my testimony as cooperation to avoid these scams.Thanks you all.Maria from Miami 02/03/12

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by Claudia Location: Los Angeles on Jan 18, 2012 at 09:12 AM

Yes this is a Scam I also have recieved a 4.970.00 check from Publisher LOTTERY PROMOTION Check is from Texas Office in Ashland Ohio and the number from Canada. I dont want to call the number after reading this it all makes sense. thanks I thought it was too good to be true.

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by Bryon Location: Evansville, In on Dec 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM

My girlfriend recieved a letter & a check in the mail , bleieve the amount was $4,976.00. Looked legit to her as she has been doing a ton of surveys on survey websites. The letter head read National Lottery Promotion. Long story short , she deposited the check into my bank account where she is listed as joint owner. The bank held it for 3 days for her safety and the banks safety. 3 Days passed , she asked me to withdrawl the money for her and give it to her. I did. Now I check my balance today and it's almost $4500 in the negative. I called my bank to ask what was going on , they said the check had a stop payment request. I need some advice on what I can do about this situation. My bank imformed me they will not help me or my girlfriend. Please give me some advice.

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by Bruce Location: Richwood, WV 26261 on Dec 20, 2011 at 09:32 AM

Recieved the check and letter on 20 December, 2011. Surprisingly I won the lottery on my birthday. National Lottery Promotion Suite 305-1105 Interste Drive, Richfield, Ohio 44286 1-778-859-5987 Chris Ayala

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by Cory Location: Pittsburgh on Nov 16, 2011 at 11:20 AM

I recieved the same letter. Im hoping its not a scam but im pretty sure it is.

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by Janak Location: San Francisco on Nov 10, 2011 at 08:28 PM

Got a letter from National Lottery Promotion Suite 112-1105 Interstate Drive, Richfield, OH 44286. The letter says, "we are pleased to announce the release of our sweepstakes draw held on July 5th, 2011'. ...... The mail also includes a check with bank being "Key Bank National Association, Vemillon Ohio". The letter also says "The check enclosed is provided to you by one of our sponsers to cover the insurance and adminhistration fees with respect to your 200,000 US winning". Need to call the bank to see if this check is real. what do you think?

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by Cari scott on Nov 14, 2011 at 08:59 AM in reply to Janak

I just recieved the same letter. Was trying to find out if it's a scam also.

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by Jason on Nov 14, 2011 at 12:16 PM in reply to Cari scott

I just recieved the same letter today, investigating it now

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by Jason on Nov 14, 2011 at 12:26 PM in reply to Janak

Called the bank and a woman named Rose answered. Once I asked about the check she gave me the name before I mentioned. The check is fraud and she recommended that I take it to the nearest police department. Called the lottery place back, no answer but gmail in English then in French.

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by Elizabeth Wright Location: United States on Oct 26, 2011 at 07:12 AM

I received a call 3 x . They wanted me to get a money pack for $775. They were going to deliver a Rolls Royce and several million dollars to my door as soon as I read them the money pack order. They claimed to be a part of Readers Digest, but the money pack was supposed to be made out to James Anderson 86 Columbus Ave Newark New Jersey. They did this by phone. Called 4 times. They are to call me this morning at 11am when I am to read them the numbers from the money pack. Then they would come to deliver everything.their phone number is 876-569-6135.

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by James Location: Chandler, Az. on Sep 22, 2011 at 01:07 PM

Sept. 21, 2011 We won $500,000 in Reader's Digest sweepstakes paid by AIG just like Dianna from Joliet, IL (below). We keep this up and will bankrupt Reader's or AIG. The check for $2,840.12 was for expenses, we were to deposit it, then call them, next day we were to withdraw $2,500 send it Western Express. Of course the phoney check would have bounced and they would have $2,500 cash of our money plus Bank charges for NSF. Scams are everywhere we were cautious and lost nothing except dreams and trust in our fellow man. Loss of the dreams we can live with, more distrust in our fellow man is pushing us to the breaking point. Sorry to hear, Ingrid of Ozark, AL.

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by lucan Location: archer city on Sep 20, 2011 at 09:13 AM

Not once twice but three times have I been almost scamed yesterday i got a leter and it was from a company in canada i called strive logisics and they told me it is bogu. LOl on top of that they spelled floor wrong on the adress on the check it was spelled floop. I hope these people get whats coming to them cause are elderly are not to wise to this anyway just wanted to share this with you.

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by Ingrid Location: Ozark,AL on Sep 17, 2011 at 07:46 PM

I think I am in a scam right now I was told that I was a Sweepstakes Winner of 2andahalf mil. Dollars.I spend two thousand dollars already for Ins. Tax dilivery othernow 1500.00 to reensure the check it exp.becauseI took to long to pay them the tax.I was so stupid but these people look more for older people that are on S.S.and all the mony mostly is sent to Jamaica.The mans name is Mark Shield and is so nice said I remind him of his Mom now calls me every day and calls me Mom I don't want to think he scamed me but after spending so much money I feel like a fool with a lot less money in my account money I could not afford to loose. Ingrid,Al.

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by Wendi Location: Williamsport on Sep 10, 2011 at 08:15 AM

Hooray, I won the Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes! ha ha ha ha ha... Mine was from "Progressive Direct Insurance Company" in the amount of $3,949. PNC Bank. The postmark on mine is from Canada as well, and there's no return address. Here's the REALLY funny thing about it: In the upper-right corner of the envelope, over the stamp, the post office printed (in French and English), "FRAUD - PREVENT IT!" LOLOL I'm laughing at their ineptitude but I'm actually pretty darn bummed. If there was ever a time we could have used three-thousand bucks, it would be now. My husband and I are both looking for work. What a cruel joke this was...

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by Dianna Location: Joliet, IL on Sep 2, 2011 at 01:29 PM

My check was for $2640.31, from AIG in Amarillo,TX. The letterhead looked correct, but in each of the four corners were stamps that said reader's digest New Zealand. "john cain", whose signature looks nothing like that, by the way, gave a toll free number (855 area code), but the address turned out to be a trailer park in Austin TX, according to google earth. The post mark on the envelope was from Seattle, with no return address, company logo or anything else. The stamp was even upside down!

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by renee Location: philadelphia,PA on Aug 31, 2011 at 02:07 PM

I too received a check for$2,600.67 from southern county mutual insurance co by THE HARTFORD! contact Mr. David Raymond Brooks what a scam!!! called readers digest was suspicious glad I did

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