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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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Posted by: wayne Location: texas
Same guy called me this morning wanting to help me collect my $350,000.00 winnings from Random House. He must have a whole network of crooks working with him. I talked to his so called boss and a lady clamming to work for random house.William Forbes is a crook He had ready answers for every question I asked him. He is nothing but a crook . Be careful of him. Posted by: Joe Location: Longmont, CO This is the phone number this guy gave me 202-470-3369 - i traced it back to 202-470-5497, is that the number any one else got? The FTC has been notified of this guy, any one else who would like to report for ID theft, their real number is 1-877-ID-THEFT. Also, for other complaints 1-877-FTC-HELP. Also, call 1-800-222-4444 for the federal complaint line on stuff like this. This guy also says he has reps in NY at 718-340-3068. I highly recommend you record any of these phone calls if possible. Currently he's using the Publisher's Clearing House name for this scam, their actual phone number is 1-800-645-9242 if you want to follow up with them. BE WARNED!!! Posted by: Vera Cline Location: Oxnard, CA William Forbes, who said he was an agent for Federal Trade Commission, also called my 93-year old mother notifying her she had won $350,000, 2nd prize in the Random House Sweepstakes. He gave her a "phone number" of Random House which, when called, will verify that you did win. This guy is very slick. He said a 1% bond was needed to collect the winnings because of the Patriot Act. I notified the FTC, FBI and our local police, but no one took any action because it was not yet a crime. If my mother had fallen for the scam, then it would have been a crime. Posted by: Kathy Location: MA Thanks I just got a call from the same guy, but now he works for the Federal Trade Commission. I guess he thinks that consumers today won't find out what his is doing! Posted by: Amy Location: Green River, WY I received this very same call this morning. The only difference is that the $3500 was for bond insurance on the $350,000. If they need money to send you money - it's a scam. |
