LOTTERY SCAM

The Valley is once again being plastered with letters telling area residents they have won the lottery. It’s our old friend The North American Sweepstakes Lottery. These crooks have spruced their mailing up a little for 2007 claiming to be from the Dynamic Lottery Gaming Corporation. They also claim they are sponsored by Readers Digest and Publishers Clearing House. These guys show up every year. Why, because every year someone falls for their scheme and they get rich.  The scammer sends you a fake check for $3250 or so along with instructions to call them at a 902 area code. From there you will be instructed to deposit the check into your bank account then wire them an amount they will specify to cover the “taxes” on your winnings of $250,000. They say once they get the money to cover the taxes they will send you a check for the remainder of your winnings. They then take your money and run. And remember that telephone call you are asked to make? I spoke to someone who called and spoke to the “claims agent” but he has yet to get his telephone bill. I wonder what kind of a surprise that might bring!

Some would say who on earth would fall for this but alas, every year someone does. Remember, if you did not enter a lottery, sweepstakes or any other contest then you cannot possibly be a winner. And think a minute … if you won why on earth would you have to send them money in order to receive your winnings?

Forward those letters straight to the trash man.

Chief Arthur J. Sullivan, Jr.
Clermont Police Department
Clermont, Iowa
(563)423-7096