I received a check drawn on an authentic bank ( I looked it up) for an amount and it said I was a winner of a sweepstakes and If I cash it I pay my processing fee with this amount and the rest will be sent to me. Does this sound like a fraud?
2007-02-10 07:31:17 · 10 answers · asked by Heather M 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
I did enter publishers clearinghouse and this letter sent with it said it was a sponsor of pch as well as others.
2007-02-10 12:46:08 · update #1
Yes. No legitimate sweepstakes would charge you a processing fee. There has to be a catch.
2007-02-10 07:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Brad L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I get 'checks' like this all the time. They are from my credit card.
They loook like free money but there is this stuff on the back of them in fine print that says 'by cashing this check, you are enrolling in some 'plan' that allows them to make monthly withdrawls to my account.
If the company is legit, I am sure that is what the processing fees are about.
Ask yourself, WHy would you have to pay a 'processing fee'? THEY sent you the check wouldnt they just take the fee out and send you the rest?
may not be fraud, but it might leave you with alot less money that you thought you were getting.
again, if you WON why dont they just send you the stuff
ON tv 20/20 once they had a 'sweepstakes' and they promised the winner a hot tub if she paid the processing fee of $190 bucks.
She paid and got a childs swimming pool and the instructions said to add hot water!
Yeah it was mean but it was NOT illegal....this woman basically paid for a pool she could have purchased herself (had she even wanted one) for $15.00 including tax!
2007-02-10 08:04:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost certainly (like 99.99999999%) certain it's a fraud.
Check out where the accompanying letter originates - bet it comes from a box number and/or not in your home country, so you've got little come-back if they pocket your money. And in the unlikely event that the accompanying letter lists the sweepstake prizes, my guess is that there will be two or three that could be worth more than the 'processing fee' and the rest will be substantially less, or will be for some sort of 'gift' that will prove worthless. Don't fall for it.
2007-02-10 07:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by mrsgavanrossem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes It is fraudulent. Anything that asks you to pay a processing fee is not something you have won. Do not cash the check. Tear it up. Someday you may win a sweepstakes and it will cost you nothing.
2007-02-10 08:44:53 · answer #4 · answered by a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES IT IS FRAUD!! The absolute best thing to is take it to the bank that it appears to be from if possible. That way the bank can send out a security warning through the Federal Reserve so other people will not become a victim to the fraud. If you can't take it to that bank, take it to yours and give it to them. In the ling run, this keeps EVERYONES fees down.
2007-02-10 12:30:05 · answer #5 · answered by Christina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, It's in The Local Paper Almost Everyday...!! Even Banks Can Be Initially Fooled, But in The End, The Loss Goes To The Person Being Scammed.......Beware of 'Easy Money Offers'....!!
2016-05-25 03:42:55 · answer #6 · answered by Jeanine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-02-10 07:34:03 · answer #7 · answered by Box815 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you did not enter a sweepstakes then you would not win anything..this is a fraud
2007-02-10 09:34:28 · answer #8 · answered by charmel5496 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a Scam to me
2007-02-10 07:33:45 · answer #9 · answered by Dr Universe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't do it, you'll be trying to cash a fony check.
2007-02-10 07:36:44 · answer #10 · answered by Geoff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋