I got a check in the mail for $3988, and a letter saying I won $50,000. Is this for real?

Question

The company is Brown Trust Inc in MA and the check says Sovereign Bank. There was no return address the stamp is Canadian. Who can I report this to, it seems too good to be true.

Answer 1

This is directly from fraud.org:

1. IT ISN'T WORTH THE GAMBLE
-You are responsible for the checks you deposit. That’s because you’re in the best position to determine the risk – you’re the one dealing directly with the person who is arranging for the check to be sent to you. When a check bounces, the bank deducts the amount that was originally credited to your account. If there isn’t enough to cover it, the bank may be able to take money from other accounts you have at that institution, or sue you to recover the funds. In some cases, law enforcement authorities could bring charges against the victims because it may look like they were involved in the scam and knew the check was counterfeit.

2. YOUR BANK IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO MAKE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE QUICKLY-BUT BEWARE-JUST BECAUSE YOUR BANK CASHED IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S CLEARED-AND IF IT DOESN'T CLEAR, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING BACK WHAT YOU SPENT. You don’t have to wait long to use the money, but that doesn’t mean the check is good. Under federal law, banks have to make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check is good, even if it’s a cashier’s check. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce.

3. EVEN BANKERS CAN BE FOOLED BY FAKE CHECKS-DON'T RELY ON THEIR WORD-YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS THEIRS-AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOOSE---BUT YOU DO!!
-The checks are fake but they look real. In fact, they look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled. Some are phony cashiers checks, others look like they’re from legitimate business accounts. The companies whose names appear may be real, but someone has dummied up the checks without their knowledge.

-Don’t deposit it – report it! Report fake check scams to the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, a service of the nonprofit National Consumers League, at www.fraud.org or [phone]. That information will be transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The bottom line: DO NOT CASH IT! It isn't worth the gamble, especially since you don't know who it's from (i've done a little research for you and looked up this so called, "Brown Trust Inc." and it doesn't exist) Your common sense is right on-it is too good to be true. Go to www.fraud.org or call them at 800-876-7060 and report it. Don't be a victim-and help throw these guys in jail where they belong! Scammers are smart-but you are smarter!!

Answer 2

This sounds fishy to me, I wouldn't cash the check. If it is a fraud check the bank you try to cash it at may charge you with fraud when you go to cash it. Try to contact "Brown Trust Inc" and Sovereign Bank.

Remember to read all the fine print on the letter if there was one with the check. Also look at the check very closely. Checks like what your talking about should have some sort of water mark.

Answer 3

It is too good to be true. They will want you to cash that check and send them the money and they will "mail" you the $50,000. You will NEVER see the $50,000 though. The check will be returned about a week later due to "insufficient funds" and you will be liable for the amount of $3988. DON'T FALL FOR THIS... it is the scam of the day right now. Send the info to the proper authorities. I wish this would happen to me so I can really nail 'em.

Answer 4

I had just read an article about this type of scam. The sending party always request that you send them a small fee before you will get the rest of your money. Do not send them even a cent! It is a scam. They will tell you to deposit the check into your bank account and send them the fee within 72 hours. By the time your bank notify you that the check is either cancel or stolen, you will be out of your money!

Answer 5

Did you read the disclaimer to see if it is actually a loan application? When you cash the check you will be liable for amount plus an outrageous interest fee.

You can report the fraud on USPS. COM by looking for the link to Postal Inspection Service.

Answer 6

check with the better business bureau ( Im guessing they have something like that in Canada) and see if its an actual place first. Then call the place if there is a listing. If not, then speak with your local bank.
One more thing, DONT CASH IT! It could be a scam where they get ahold of your account numbers and stuff!

Answer 7

There is no free lunch, chiche yes, but true. Do not give any personal information to them. When they say you won something and you have to give per. info out to them so they can send the money, beware. If you have to pay them some fee for sending the money, beware. Also read the fine pint, if any. By cashing the check, you may be giving them your authorization to sign you up for something you will have to pay for or worse, take your identity. Did you enter any contests on-line or in a store or raffle tickets ? (prob. not in Canada). Beware Beware Beware !!!

Answer 8

I got 5 or 6 of those letters. It's a scam. I looked it up on the internet. Just get rid of it. If you try to deposit it, they will probably ask for personal information and then the scam artists will have access to that.

Answer 9

Check will be 4 real when you cash it.....lol
Just try contacting both company and Bank.

Answer 10

go ahead and cash it then mail me a check for 3000, that is my fee for the advice you can keep the rest god bless and good luck oh and by the way the next guy who says he loves you is lieing as well