I also received a check in the mail?

Question

A letter included , with instructions to call the phone number ( provided) before depositing the check.
The check was to cover the taxes on a larger amount soon to come. But the check amount was larger than the amount of the so stated taxes.
I did do a little research and found that the bank the check was drawn on is real and located in America.
Does anyone know what else I can do to find out if this is a legitamate win?
I must say I am the person who enters any and every sweeptake that is " free" to enter and with "no purchase neccessary".
Therefore I am kinda hoping that I finally got lucky . But on the other hand , I have also heard of the scams .
If anyone has any info concerning this matter please inform me

Answer 1

Sounds like a scam.
Basic rule: Anything that sounds too good to be true is a scam!
The world is a dangerous place to live in - Here risks >>> than benefits.

Answer 2

No one sends checks to cover the taxes on winnings!!!! Chances are... thousands of other people got that same notification about their winnings.

The following is additional information regarding “lottery” or “prize winning” scams, and this should explain the check you received:

Fraud operators send letters telling recipients that they have won a lottery or prize in a random drawing. These letters may include a serial number, lucky winning numbers, the amount won, and a special ´Claim Number'. The letters appear very official. Included with the letter is a very convincing-looking check. The letter explains to unsuspecting victims that the money was deducted from the winnings, for payment of some sort of administrative fee or taxes due on the winnings.

HERE'S YOUR TAX CHECK:

{{{{{The fraudsters further advise the recipient to go to their local bank, deposit this check for taxes, and then send a wire transfer or Money Order to cover the taxes. Often, the check they have sent you for the taxes is a larger amount than the amount of the taxes to be paid.}}}}

Most banks will cash the check as it looks authentic. Then, when the check is sent for payment, the check turns out to be counterfeit. The individual who sent the "taxes" is defrauded of that amount.

These types of scams are virtually impossible to track, investigate or prosecute, with no way for victims to recoup their losses.

How to spot a prize or lottery scam:
If the prize or lottery notification has any of the following elements, we strongly suggest you do not respond to it:

The information advises that you have won a prize - but you did not enter any competition run by the prize promoters.

The mail may be personally addressed to you but it has been posted using bulk mail - thousands of others around the world may have received the exact same notification.

The prize promoters ask for a fee (for administration, taxes, or "processing") to be paid in advance.

Other schemes pretend to be legitimate lotteries, or offer you the opportunity to buy shares in a fund that purports to purchase tickets in legitimate overseas lotteries.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CALL THAT PHONE NUMBER THAT WAS PROVIDED:

What happens if I reply to the letter?
If you contact the lottery operator, you will be asked to provide details of bank accounts and confirmation of your identity. Once interest is shown in collecting winnings, the lottery operators will ask for money in advance to pay costs relating to administration, foreign currency charges or taxes. This request should send alarm bells ringing as legitimate lotteries do not ask for funds in advance of payout - their operating costs are not deducted from individual prizes.

STOP ENTERING THOSE STUPID CONTESTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Before you know it, your identity will be stolen because you'll be a little too trusting and give out a little too much information (if you haven't done so already), and you life will be a mess.

Answer 3

The check is fraudulent. The prize does not exist. Even if it did, they have no way to tell how much tax YOU would owe if you did win. IF you actually won anything, they would withhold taxes from the prize or just let you handle them. NO ONE ever sends a separate check to cover taxes.

Answer 4

This is a scam. Funny how the amount is wrong - and they want you to send the extra back to them, right? The check will end up bouncing, and you'd be out whatever you sent.

Sorry, this is a common scam.

Answer 5

DO NOT CASH IT! On a newsprogram they were investigating the same thing. One woman cashed it, funds became unavailable and she was responsible to the bank for the lost funds and is now going through litigation and the court systems. Not to mention losing her credit rating.

My advice, tear it up and throw it away!

Answer 6

Scam. Shred it and step far away.