Sweepstakes---Not!!!
Sweepstakes---Not!!!KKTV Blog Listing
Sweepstakes---Not!!!
Topic Author: Betty Sexton
Posted: 5:12 PM Nov 10, 2009
Replies Posted: 37 comments
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     Thanks to Howard Myers of Teller County.  He got a call this morning and knew a crook was on the other end.  He called me... so I could warn you about this scam.  The caller told Howard he worked for Random House and congratulated him for winning $350,000 in the Random House Sweepstakes.  Howard was told his prize money would be distributed tomorrow... but there was a catch!  He had to wire 1% of his winnings, $3,500 to cover taxes and fees.

     Howard asked the man for his name and phone number and hung up.  He then called Random House and learned there wasn't a sweepstakes and the whole thing was a scam.  You have to give the crook credit for being inventive... he used the name William Forbes... knowing that folks may have heard of Steve Forbes or of Forbes Magazine.  Also, Random House is a prestigious name... it's just the world's largest trade book publisher. 

     Just remember, a crook will always come up with familiar names and circumstances... but there's always one huge red flag...  HE'S AFTER YOUR CASH!  Don't give it to him to pay for taxes or any other plausible-sounding reason.  Be smart and hang onto your hard-earned dollars.

 

 
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  • by Scott Location: Sacramento on Oct 5, 2011 at 12:32 PM
    A man identifying himself as Agent Henry Waxman of the Federal Trade Commission, told me my father, who passed 3 years ago, had won $350k and that I could claim the money on his behalf. I declined - we have been calls of this sort at my mother's house for months, sometimes from Jamaica sometimes from the States. They are trying to take advantage of the elderly.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Garth Lamb Location: United States on Aug 17, 2011 at 01:18 PM
    Likewise got a call BOUT WINNING 450,000 IN A SWEETSTAKES. THEY NEEDED 4,500. FOR INSURANCE. ANOTHER SCAM. BEWARE.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Lisa Location: Bend, OR on Aug 15, 2011 at 10:57 AM
    Received a call from Winston Sinclair from the National Gaming Commission. He informed me that I won 2nd place in the $1M Las Vegas Allure Sweepstakes. The drawing was on 3/10/11 and I had not responded to any of the letters sent to me (never received any letters). My prize was $650,000 (wonder what 1st place was - $450,000?). He had obtain me an extension and I needed to wire 1% ($455) for insurance and the funds would be delivered in 48 hours by a courier by the name of Beverly Hunchingson. It wasn't until the 3rd call that he mentioned the insurance money I needed to send. Also mentioned that my name was posted in the Clark Co. Court House in Las Vegas. I called the court house and no list exists. What a scam!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Mo Location: Pittsburgh, Pa on May 4, 2011 at 11:55 AM
    My mother in law received several calls in past two weeks and was given phone numbers 202 470 3336 for Chris Ramos from Consumer Affairs Unclaimed Awards Dept, and 702 765 4522 Richard Sanders from (?? maybe same place). They said she needed $4500, but that someone had provided $4000, so then she needed only to send $500 western union...for "insurance"...and the money ($500) would be returned to her when the prize money was delivered. First time they called...said money was waiting for her to give money and then the money would be delivered within 24 hours...The SECOND call said it was at the Pittsburgh airport waiting and would be delivered that evening. They used a "case #" with "Bank of America", also used the name Lords of London as the "insurance carrier" It was very difficult for her to accept this being a fraud...this website has helped greatly...tyvm!!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by al Location: san antonio, TX on Mar 1, 2011 at 12:28 PM
    Just recieved the second phone call and my check is on the way. Just waiting for the next phone call with an arival time. Is anyone looking for these scam artists?
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by al Location: san antonio, TX on Feb 28, 2011 at 11:09 AM
    Just recieved a phone call from Richard Sanders who gave me the same number to call. Called it and talked to a lady who said I was reinstated and should wait for mR. sanders to call back. Still waiting so I can laugh at him.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Diane Location: Michigan on Feb 26, 2011 at 11:19 AM
    I received a message from a Lisa Harrison stating she worked for the Federal Trade Commission and to call her concerning my second place prize from Publisher Clearing House. The area code & number is the same as other posts. 202-407-7194 This was Feb. 2011. I never called back, figured it was a scam.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Carlotta Location: Rocklin on Feb 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
    I just sent you an email. Can you call me? 916-630-1830. Carlotta
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Carlotta Location: Rocklin CA on Feb 10, 2011 at 10:40 AM
    I keep getting calls from a company that tells us they are part of the Federal Government and asking why I havent responded to letters regarding me winning $450,000 in a contest called "las Vegas allure sweepstakes". They gave me a phone number of 202-470-3369. Can you help me? Carlotta
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Steve Location: Greenville, SC on Feb 3, 2011 at 09:09 AM
    On 2-3-11 I received a call from Janet Sommers with the Fed. Dept. of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. I won second place, for $450,000 but had not responded to two previous letters. Because of the large amount of money the government was getting involved to ensure that the Las Vegas Allure Sweepstakes and Promotions fully followed govt. regs. I was to call 702-765-4471 and mention file number 910-4322. I called and the man who answered re-stated the same case, saying that they were having a lot of problems delivering some prizes and were working with the federal government to get these taken care of. He said I would get a call back from the same person as before. She would guide me through the rest of the process. I called FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at 1-877-382-4357, option 1 for english, then 2, then 2 again. I filed a complaint, letting them know that whoever called was invoking the government's name to gain advantage. They agreed and said they would investigate.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Barbara Location: Williamsport, PA on Feb 2, 2011 at 09:58 AM
    On Feb 1,2011, this scam has arisen with a slightly different twist. I got the call from the Fed Trade Comm, a Freddy Cruz, 202-470-3369 (same number as I've read in other complaints). I had won second place ($450,000) but had not responded to the letter sent to me by the Cruise Prize Association. I was to call 702-765-4471 and give the code B55724. I stupidly did that. No one ever asked for money and all they did at the Las Vegas number was verify my address. So now I wait for the other shoe to drop!!!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Matthew Location: Arizona on Oct 22, 2010 at 02:41 PM
    Scam! FTC man, Agent Robert Unger - was told to put up $1500 for a 2nd prize winning of $275,000 and wire money to Costa Rica. A federal agent would deliver my check to my door name given Roger Hampton. Rep in the Embassy Karla Salas Ramirez. I almost did it, because of desperation, until I checked the internet. I can't believe I almost fell for this. I am not that stupid! I can't believe I believed it and got so excited about it. He gave me a number of 718-213-4427 for Random House, guy named John Edwards answered and confirmed my second place prize! I can't believe I fell for this!!!!! I've reported it to the real Federal Trade Commission and Publisher's Clearing House.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Leslie Location: L.A. on Oct 5, 2010 at 01:26 PM
    Got this same call just 10 minutes ago from a "Tom Finley" from the FTC. I was instructed to call Random House and I figured it was a scam. The number I was to call asked to leave a message. It definitely wasn't Random House. Thanks for confirming what I thought!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Lillian Location: Burbank CA on Aug 18, 2010 at 01:09 PM
    I just now received the same phone call where a person calling from a DC telephone number stated he was from FTC and that I had won $350000; but I had to post a bond of $3500 in order to claim the prize. THANK YOU for posting so I now know, for sure, that they are crooks!
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Cynthia Location: Louisiana on Aug 18, 2010 at 09:50 AM
    Received a call from a Jonathan Stevens, gave me a claim number and a telephone number to Randon House 1-718-285-7054, called and spoke to some there who asked for the claim number and then told me to call Mr. Stevens back. Called him back and then he said he would get everything ready for delivery and then have his secretary call me back. His number was 202-407-7216.
    Reply [ Report Abuse ]
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