I received a notice of a $70,000.00 sweepstakes win in the mail from some outfit called "Swiss Financial Solutions." They have a Niagara Falls address but do not appear in the Yellow Pages or any online search. The notice came with a legitimate-looking check for $3,650.00 that was supposed to be used to cover a "Non-residence Tax." It said to call a phone number in Ontario to obtain a "Tax Identification Number" which was required to release the $70,000.00. When I dial it, I'm told that the call cannot be completed as dialed. Is this a scam?
2007-09-02 07:15:30 · 7 answers · asked by Granite_State_Fella 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The next step in this scam was that you deposit the check in your bank and send them X amount of dollars to cover expenses and such. The check is phony and you will be charged by your bank and the money you sent to the company (most likely by Western Union) will be your loss.
2007-09-02 08:09:21 · answer #1 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, no no! A sweepstakes by law, cannot charge you to enter or collect a prize. A skill-based contest is allowed to charge an entry fee - contests are different from sweepstakes. Back to your question - a common scam. Never send them anything! If you win a big prize, you will get affidavits to fill out and have notarized. Then you will be contacted with the prize particulars and the prize(s). You will also receive a 1099 form for your taxes the following January that you must declare.
2016-04-02 23:47:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I received the same notice by mail. The check appears to be from HSBC Bank in Los Angeles, CA. I believe it to be a scam and perhaps you should too. But, if you wish to pursue it further then try contacting the bank directly (or your bank) and ask about the legitimacy of the routing number.
2007-09-04 06:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by scratch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes...Most likely it is.. Did you enter the sweepstakes? I am guessing you did not.
If you deposit the check into a bank account I am betting in a few weeks you will find out that the check was not honored!
You already knew...If it sounds to good etc...
2007-09-02 07:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by CJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you did not register for a sweep stake, you surely didn't win one. The number is probably disconnected because they have been exposed as a fraud. Definitely a scam
2007-09-02 07:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by Tom Thumb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like they got busted before they could scam you.
2007-09-02 07:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by LORD V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rule ONE.....if it sounds too good to be true...it is.
If you didn't enter it it's a SCAM.
2007-09-02 07:25:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋